Siliguri,
Sep 20: Two dancing-bears - bears used for commercial
purposes - were rescued by Baikunthapur forest officials and
three madaris (one who tames the wild animals for earning a living),
were arrested at Saudangi near Salugara.
The three of them are in the custody of the forest department while
the bears have been sent to the Sukna Wildlife rescue centre.
According to the madaris, they have a valid licence from the Uttar
Pradesh forest department, and have been staging shows with the bears
for the past one year. But officials at Sukna said that the licence
had expired and it was not issued from the DFO or conservator`s
level.
The trio might face prosecution under the strict provisions of the
Wildlife Protection Act if they cannot prove their innocence.