Saving Bears in the backstreets, cities, mountains and wilds of Armenia (International Animal Rescue Effort)
Kept in various forms of captivity, often caged, chained, beaten and starved, Armenia’s bears aren’t much loved. Once wild and born of this mountainous region bears hold a strange place in Armenian culture. Often viewed as sideshows in circus’s, kept as exotic pets, housed as novelties in gas stations or tormented in themed restaurants.
A key moment came as we freed two bedraggled, hairy honey-seeking fellows who had spent the last ten years in a flooded cage, dancing for their dinner at a riverside restaurant called ‘The Bears’!
What struck me as astounding and unthinkable was that still some peoples idea of fun is flinging chicken wings at these majestic beasts! It felt right to get them out of there and I am proud to have been involved”
Alan Knight OBE, the founder of IAR, has an admirable legacy in defending species. He initiated and championed a ban on bear batting/dancing bears in India. Because of his efforts, thousands where saved, leading to India’s bears being protected by law.
Now he’s focused on doing the same in Armenia.
80 bears being held captive in Armenia video
As the name suggests International Animal Rescue is a Thunderbird like organization; Active around the global, they rally their forces to act, where action is needed.
Working under the radar as well as in collaboration with local governments, military and police agencies INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL RESCUE have set themselves the challenge of liberating Armenia’s bears.
You can folow the story and take an active role in helping here: