Dancing bears on verge of extinction (Stuff, New Zealand)

Reuters story on dancing bears and how increasing poaching has led to near-extinction.

The Kalandhars, a nomadic tribe, has been traditionally training these bears as street performers. These 'dancing bears' suffer a lot of pain during the training and through the rest of their performing lives.

Wildlife SOS, an animal rescue group, has set up a sanctuary in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, caring for about 60 of them. It has also convinced about 60 Kalandhars to surrender their bears for 50,000 rupees, which they have used to set up cold drink stalls and other small businesses.

But some Kalandhars say they will never give up the profession of their forefathers.

Even though the article describes some very cruel acts, this made me smile:

"We treat him like our child as he supports our family," says Abdul Nasser, thwacking Khan with a thick stick every so often.