Japan's bear parks still leave animals begging for change

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Japan's bear parks still leave animals begging for

change

 

4 Dec 03

 

Japan WSPA and Japanese animal welfare group ALIVE

shows how hundreds of bears continue to be kept on

public display in open concrete pits in a new report

released on the 4th December 2003. In the medieval

conditions of Japan's eight bear parks, bears are

encouraged to fight and beg for food thrown at them by

tourists.

 

The conditions in the bear parks contravene the

recommendations and standards set forth by the

Japanese government and the Japanese Association of

Zoological Gardens and Aquariums. Since investigations

began 12 years ago, WSPA and ALIVE have repeatedly

called for essential improvements to the health and

welfare conditions at the bear parks, and lobbied the

Japanese government for an effective law which

protects animals in captivity.

 

Despite WSPA and ALIVE recommendations to bear park

owners and government officials, the new report

confirms little action has been taken and bears still

receive inappropriate food and are provided with

insufficient space, shelter, enrichment and veterinary

care.

 

Victor Watkins, Director of WSPA's Libearty campaign,

described the conditions of the parks; " Dozens of

bears are crowded into bare concrete pits where they

are left hungry for most of the day and tormented by

crowds of visitors who tease them by throwing in 'bear

biscuits' and watching the ensuing fights that take

place. Bears injured in fights often have their wounds

left untreated and many distressed bears display

stereotypic behaviour, rocking back and forth on the

spot. "

 

The cubs born into a life of captivity in the already

overcrowded bear pits risk being killed and eaten by

adult bears. Some are taken from their mothers when

just a few weeks old to be kept chained in a petting

area as a public attraction, causing them extreme

stress and suffering. In three parks, Noboribetsu, Aso

and Okuhida, cubs are forced to do bizarre circus acts

such as handstands or riding a bicycle. These tricks

are taught through a training process reportedly based

on fear and punishment.

 

Watkins continues, " It's disheartening that the parks

have failed to meet even the basic recommended welfare

standards. Japan's bear parks display a shameful

disregard for animal welfare, which is taking its toll

on hundreds of captive bears that are exploited for

entertainment. It is high time that the Japanese

government passed an animal welfare law that will

bring Japan's treatment of animals into line with that

of the rest of the developed world. "

 

 

 

 

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