Introduction
The archaic practice of Bear Dancing, a spectacle that once entertained crowds across Europe and Asia, is slowly becoming a relic of the past thanks to the relentless efforts of animal welfare organizations and governmental bodies. In 1995, a World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) survey revealed a staggering 1,200 dancing bears in India alone. By 2010, this number dramatically decreased to an estimated 10 to 15 in India and Nepal, marking significant progress. However, the issue persists in various other Asian and European nations. A stark reminder of this was the public outrage in 2007 when dancing bears were used by street performers in Spain, highlighting that the cruel tradition is not entirely eradicated.
A Look into the History of Bear Dancing
Bear dancing’s roots trace back to the Middle Ages, where it flourished as a popular form of street entertainment throughout Europe and Asia. By the fifteenth century, its prevalence diminished in Western Europe, although dancing bears could still be seen in Britain well into the late nineteenth century. The practice was eventually outlawed in Britain in 1911. Often associated with traveling shows and individual performers, many dancing bear handlers were believed to be Romany people originating from Eastern Europe and Asia. Bear dancing remained a common sight in Eastern Europe and numerous parts of Asia throughout much of the twentieth century.
The Capture and Training of Dancing Bears
The bears used for dancing were typically cubs captured from their natural habitats. Both brown bears and sloth bears, and possibly even Himalayan black bears, were victims of this cruel trade. Syrian brown bear cubs were sourced from mountainous regions encompassing Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, while sloth bear cubs were taken from the jungles of the Indian subcontinent. Disturbingly, the capture of brown bear cubs for dancing bear training continues even today in Siberia.
A sloth bear cub is manipulated to perform dance-like movements by its handler, highlighting the distressing reality of bear dancing practices.
The process of transforming a wild cub into a “dancing bear” is inherently cruel. After capture, often involving the killing of the mother bear, the cubs are subjected to brutal preparations for training. This typically involves the trimming or complete removal of their claws and the extraction of several teeth. A painful ring is then forced through the bear’s nose, and a muzzle is often placed on its snout. Training and subsequent control are achieved through pain inflicted using a staff attached to a rope connected to the agonizing nose ring.
The method used to teach bears to “dance” is particularly inhumane. Bears were often placed on metal platforms positioned above intense fires fueled by burning logs. As the metal heated to unbearable temperatures, the bears, driven by excruciating pain, were forced to stand on their hind legs. Handlers would then use poles and the nose ring to manipulate the bears, forcing them to lift each paw alternately in an attempt to escape the scorching heat. This agonizing process was repeated over weeks and months, often accompanied by drum music or other sounds. The bears eventually learned to associate this music with the pain in their feet. Consequently, upon hearing the drum or music, the conditioned bears would begin to “dance” in anticipation of the pain.
Current Status of Bear Dancing
Despite significant strides in the fight against bear dancing, the practice sadly persists in several countries. The most recent information regarding countries where bear dancing continued into the twenty-first century reveals ongoing concerns.
Hope for the Future and Eradication Efforts
Numerous organizations are dedicated to completely eradicating bear dancing worldwide. A crucial aspect of their work involves offering alternative employment opportunities to bear handlers, helping them transition away from this cruel tradition. Strengthened anti-poaching patrols, particularly in India, play a vital role in disrupting the supply chain of cubs destined for dancing bear training. In regions where bear dancing has recently been eliminated, vigilant monitoring is essential to prevent its resurgence.
The situation in Russian Siberia is now a major concern. More research is urgently needed to understand the current state of bear dancing in this region. Government intervention is crucial, though potentially challenging to secure, to stop the capture of cubs and rescue existing dancing bears.
Ongoing Research and Call to Action
Bear Conservation is actively engaged in ongoing research to assess the current status of dancing bears, with a particular focus on Russia. This research aims to inform a targeted campaign dedicated to finally ending this cruel practice across the globe.
The Bear Conservation video below, filmed in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2019, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issue.
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