Cruel Japan Bear Parks

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<http://www.wspa.org.uk/index.php?page=923>

 

<http://www.wspa.org.uk/index.php?page=923> Begging For Change

 

WSPA and ALIVE have released a new report and video reaffirming the

terrible welfare conditions in Japan's bear parks. In Japan's eight bear

parks, bears are encouraged to fight and beg for food thrown at them by

tourists. More... <http://www.wspa.org.uk/index.php?page=923>

 

 

Japan's bear parks still leave animals begging for change

 

 

4 Dec 03

 

 

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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. "

 

http://www.wspa.org.uk/data/041203_090016_Begging_for_Change_E.pdf

 

IN THIS SECTION:

 

 

 

 

Begging For Change <http://www.wspa.org.uk/index.php?page=923#>

Video

 

 

 

Begging

<http://www.wspa.org.uk/data/041203_090016_Begging_for_Change_E.pdf> for

Change Report English (819.9kb)

 

 

Noboribetsu Bear park

<http://www.wspa.org.uk/data/031203_130912_02_Noboribetsu_Bear_Park.jpg>

 

 

 

Bears on public display in open concrete pits.

 

Aso Bear Park

<http://www.wspa.org.uk/data/021203_085445_07_Aso_Bear_Park.jpg>

 

 

Conditions in the bear parks contravene standards set forth by the

Japanese government.

 

06 Aso Bear Park

<http://www.wspa.org.uk/data/021203_091043_06_Aso_Bear_Park.jpg>

 

 

Bears injured in fights often have their wounds left untreated.

 

16 Brown Bears

<http://www.wspa.org.uk/data/021203_091828_16_Brown_Bears.jpg>

 

 

Bears in the wild normally roam in a rich and varied environment.

 

 

GEVHA- Grupo para el Estudio de la Violencia Hacia Humanos y Animales.

Educación Humanitaria.

Group for the Study of Violence towards Humans & Animals. Humane

Education.

 

http://www.jobs.ge/gevha/

http://www.violenciaanimales/

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" La conmiseración con los animales esta íntimamente ligada con la bondad

de caracter, de tal suerte que se puede afirmar seguro que quien es

cruel con los animales, no puede ser buena persona. Una compasión por

todos los seres vivos es la prueba más firme y segura de la conducta

moral "

 

Arthur Schopenhauer (filósofo alemán)

 

 

" Primum, non noccere " - Hipócrates (médico griego)