One aspect of the Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears’ work, is to support new and established projects around the world that help rescue bears that are suffering and in need and care for them from that point on.

At regular intervals, we will provide financial assistance and support for these projects, cementing our efforts as part of the global network of organisations working to prevent the abuse and exploitation of bears.  Please find below, more detail information about the projects we are helping, along with some lovely pictures.

WSPA – Balkasar Sanctuary
(November 2010 funding)

In November 2010 we made our first and biggest contribution to date to WSPA’s sanctuary in Balkasar, built to be a home for bears rescued from the brutal practice of bear baiting.  Our donation was used to buy food and veterinary supplies desperately needed by these dreadfully exploited bears.  Once they have been brought to the sanctuary, our assistance will help treat the terrible injuries sustained by these bears and then help fill their tummies when they are feeling better!

International Animal Rescue
(February 2011 funding)

In February 2011 we assisted International Animal Rescue’s work to carry out operations on their rescued blind ex-dancing bears who had lost their sight due to this miserable practice.  We provided £200 towards the cost of an Autoclave, a vital piece of equipment required to perform the operations safely.  Bears used as dancing bears often go blind from malnutrition or from being beaten.   Restoring or partially restoring a blind bear’s sight helps them feel safe and secure again, and enables them to mix with their sighted bear buddies at the sanctuary.

Idaho Black Bear Rehabilitation Centre
(April 2011 funding)

The Winton Bear Foundation is a staunch supporter of the incredible work of Sally Maughan at the Idaho Black Bear Rehabilitation Centre.  IBBR rescues and cares for cubs orphaned after their mothers have been shot by hunters.  If the cubs were left in the wild, they would die from lingering starvation.  The lucky ones are brought to IBBR where they are nurtured and lovingly cared for until they are big enough and strong enough to be returned to the wild for a second chance at life.

Animals Asia – China Sanctuary
(April 2011 funding)

In April 2011 we made our first contribution to Animals Asia’s Bear Enrichment Programme.  The programme significantly improves the lives of bears rescued from bear farms by helping to allow them to play, have fun and express normal behaviour which in turn can reduce their fear and distress, reduce discomfort and help reduce pain, injury and disease.

The building of the log wall, courtesy of Animals Asia

The log wall being stocked with goodies for the bears

The bears will forage around for the food in the log wall, stimulating their natural instincts. The funding also covered the cost of a fire hose hammock and, true to form and poignantly symbolic, the first bear to try out the hammock was our adopted bear, the gorgeous and mischievous Bodo!

We were delighted to have this donation marked with a lovely plaque.

The BEAR League
(May and June 2011 funding)

In 2011 we made two donations to the work of The BEAR League in Lake Tahoe, California.  The BEAR League work tirelessly to educate and encourage people to live in harmony with bears.  Black Bears are naturally afraid of people but all too often wander into inhabited areas in search of food which very often gets them into trouble.

The BEAR League works to educate people on how to dispose of rubbish properly in bear-proof trash cans to help reduce ‘human/bear conflict’ situations and keep everyone safe.

Andean Bear Foundation
(July 2011 funding)

The Spectacled Bear is one of the world’s rarest species, under severe threat from hunting and habitat destruction.  In July 2011 we contributed £100 to the work of the Andean Bear Foundation to save this unique bear from extinction through their in-field scientific studies and through the rehabilitation and release of captive bears.

Marko and Maria
(August 2011 funding via Hauser Bears)

In August 2011, The Winton Bear Foundation worked to help Hauser Bears care for two Brown Bears called Marko and Maria, brother and sister.  Since they were tiny cubs, Marko and Maria had been held captive in appalling conditions in a small cage outside a restaurant in Tirana.  Arrangements were made to move them to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Romania, and we assisted with the day-to-day costs of providing them with a good diet and care while they awaited their journey to the sanctuary.

Wildlife Trust of India
(August 2011 funding)

We are supporting the Wildlife Trust of India’s work to protect Sloth Bear dens during the weaning season, so that the cubs can’t be stolen to be used as dancing bears.

Cub forced into life as a dancing bear. Photo courtesy of International Animal Rescue.

Sloth Bear. Photo courtesy of Wildlife Trust of India

KWPLH, Indonesia
(August 2011 funding)

We are supporting the work of KWPLH, based in Indonesia, whose Sun Bear enclosure is currently home to five Sun Bears who were rescued after being taken from the wild and kept illegally as pets. KWPLH aims to instil a more positive attitude toward Sun Bears and their conservation, ultimately reduce the trade in wildlife, and create support for forest conservation activities.

Their stimulating enclosure promotes natural behaviour, which is highly beneficial for the health and welfare of the bears.  The current residents are Bennie, Idot, Harris, Batik and Anna.  Anna often bosses Harris and Bennie around, but Idot pushes her around!

Polar Bears International, USA
(September 2011 funding)

We are supporting the work of Polar Bears International based in the United States and dedicated to the worldwide conservation of the Polar Bear and its habitat through research, stewardship, and education. Polar Bear International provides scientific resources and information on Polar Bears and their habitat to institutions and the general public worldwide.

Bottoms Up! Photo courtesy of Robert & Carolyn Buchanan/PolarBearsInternational.org

Sleepy Head. Photo courtesy of Robert & Carolyn Buchanan/PolarBearsInternational.org

Animals Asia – Vietnam Sanctuary
(November 2011 funding)

In November 2011, we funded another two fire hose hammocks, this time ones that were desperately needed by the bears and cubs in Animals Asia’s Vietnam Sanctuary. Bill was the first to inspect the new gift, and after testing if it would take his weight he gave it his full approval!

Bill testing out the hammock WBF bought for the Vietnam Sanctuary.Photo courtesy of Animals Asia

Bill deciding that the hammock’s ok!Photo courtesy of Animals Asia.

Idaho Black Bear Rehabilitation Centre
(January 2012 funding)

In January 2012, The Winton Bear Foundation donated US$500 to the Idaho Black Bear Rehabilitation Centre.  We are delighted to report that the funds will be used towards the cost of repairing and replacing nine out of their twelve dens after a very rowdy bunch of eight Washington bear cubs destroyed all but two of them before their release in June 2011.  Let’s hope the next residents at IBBR are more appreciative of their surroundings!

The above photo clearly shows how well the Washington cubs did with their ‘Demolition Derby!’ Mind you, it looks like one of the current residents is having a good go at finishing them off!

Get Bear Smart Society, Canada
(January 2012 funding)

The Winton Foundation for the Welfare of Bears is proud to announce that we are now supporting the wonderful work of the Get Bear Smart Society in Whistler, Canada. This amazing organisation works tirelessly to promote harmonious living between bears and humans. Sadly, many problems arise when there is not enough food in the wild for the bears to eat and they wander into towns, following their noses, in search of food. This often results in bears being shot or being involved in motor vehicle accidents.

It gives me great pleasure to share with you the fact that we have just donated £100 towards GBS’s spring planting project. Our contribution will buy around 12-15 berry trees to be planted in the wild to help ensure enough food for the bears and prevent them wandering into towns and subsequently into danger. I hope you will agree that this is a wonderful project for WBF to support, and we are looking forward to continuing to back this wonderful organisation’s work.

Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter, Canada
(January 2012 funding)

The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter works to give a second chance to wildlife in need and since its opening in 1990, has helped 236 bears, including 3 Kermode Bears and 9 Grizzly Bears.  It is the only government permitted organisation allowed to work on grizzly cub rehabilitation.  Like IBBR in the US, NLWS works to help young bears in need and care for them until they can be returned to the wild.

The Winton Bear Foundation is helping fund NLWS’s rehabilitation success studies and their Black Bear release project in 2012, which will see around 5 bears (including the two lads below!) released with radio collars to allow them to be monitored via GPS.  This is a vital aspect of rehabilitation work to show that rehabbed bears adapt well to the wild, once they have been returned.  We are delighted to be supporting it.

Yogi, having a snooze. Photo courtesy of NLWS.

Yogi and his buddy having an after meal snooze. Photo courtesy of NLWS.