For three decades, Alan Knight OBE has witnessed the brutal aftermath of a centuries-old trade. As President of International Animal Rescue (IAR), he has seen the shocking physical and psychological scars borne by India's rescued 'dancing bears', creatures forced into a life of unimaginable suffering.
The Brutal Making of a Dancing Bear
The ordeal begins in the wild. Mother sloth bears are typically killed by poachers seeking their vulnerable cubs. Once orphaned, the young bear's brutal induction starts. A searing hot poker is driven through the soft tissue of the muzzle, and a coarse rope is threaded through the agonising wound.
"They are taught to dance by that rope being pulled," explains Alan Knight. "As they pull it, it pulls the nostril and they stand up on their hind legs. Sloth bears do not dance naturally; they dance because they're being hurt."
To protect spectators, the bear's captors then smash its teeth. An iron bar is used to break off the sharp canine teeth at the gum line, leaving exposed, live nerve endings. "They are hugely painful," says Knight, describing how owners would pack the cavities with cloth and food in a futile attempt to dull the agony.
A Legacy of Trauma and Ingenious Rescue
Although India's dancing bear trade was officially banned 16 years ago, the legacy of cruelty endures. IAR has rescued over 600 sloth bears, many bearing horrific injuries from their past. Ropes have torn through noses, leaving deformed flaps of tissue. Infected teeth have led to mouth cancer and collapsed jaws, sometimes forcing the difficult decision to put the animal to sleep.
One major breakthrough has been dental care. After consulting experts, IAR initiated a pioneering root canal programme for the bears. To date, they have performed this vital procedure on more than 600 animals, transforming their lives. "They really enjoy eating because it's like getting an electric shock [when the nerve is exposed]," Knight notes.
Another hidden trauma is alcoholism. To subdue the bears during performances, owners fed them cheap, homebrewed alcohol. IAR's rehabilitation must therefore include detoxification and liver recovery, alongside addressing severe malnourishment from a diet of leftover curry and naan.
Forgiveness and a Future Beyond Exploitation
Remarkably, around 159 of the original 600 rescued bears are still alive today, enjoying peaceful retirements in sanctuaries. One famous survivor is Digit, rescued in 2009, who is now described as a "happy, cheeky bear."
Alan Knight remains humbled by their capacity for forgiveness. "As soon as you show them kindness, the bears tend to react and they become friendly... the animals forgive us almost," he reflects.
The charity's work also extends to the former handlers, the Kalandar community. Thousands have been supported to start new businesses, with many now working as keepers for the very bears they once exploited.
This festive season, IAR is calling for donations to provide treats, enrichment, and warm bedding for bears like Digit, offering a poignant chance to contribute to their hard-won peace.
