IWMB sends two experts to take care of bear cubs in AJK’s village

Islamabad : The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has sent two wildlife experts to take care of two bear cubs that have been given shelter in Dawarian village of Azad Jammu and Kashmir near Pakistan-India border.

The experts have got training in captive wildlife care from Al Mawa sanctuary (Jordan) and now they would monitor the activities of the bear cubs and prepare a plan to ensure they grow up and get ready to return back to their natural habitat.

The officials informed that the experts would review the current condition of bear cubs and then make an assessment about the time they would need to learn how to survive in the jungle environment.

“We have carried out search operations time and again to find out mother bear in last few months. Now we believe that these bear cubs crossed the border fence and entered into this territory after killing of their mother bear,” they said.

According to the reports, bear cubs attract a lot of people daily who come to the village to see them climbing trees and playing on the rooftop of the compound.

The reports also pointed out that since 2004 there has been a 12-foot high fence cutting through the area to mark the border. It has also made it nearly impossible for wildlife to move freely in their natural habitat.

The IWMB would discuss the issue with the higher authorities to find out a proper sanctuary for these cubs where they can reside for quite some time before going into the natural habitat.

The availability of sanctuaries has become a serious issue for last many years because the local authorities always find it difficult to provide temporary shelter to wildlife species during their rehabilitation period.

An official said IWMB is providing temporary shelter to various birds and animals in the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) but sometimes proper sanctuary is needed to help these species rehabilitate in a natural environment.