Pakistan's Federal Minister for Climate Change, Dr. Musadik Malik, recently visited the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board's (IWMB) Animals Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre to oversee the relocation of Rocky, a 7-year-old Asian black bear, to his new enclosure. Rocky was rescued from illegal captivity in Jauharabad after suffering severe abuse, including being used for baiting in dog fights.
Now, Rocky will live out his days at the IWMB center, as his teeth were removed by his previous owner, rendering him unfit for the wild. Dr. Malik praised the Punjab government and Four Paws, an international animal welfare group, for their collaboration in rescuing Rocky and another bear, Sunny, who was used as a dancing bear. The minister also announced plans to establish a permanent IWMB board and enhance the center's capacity with support from Four Paws, contrasting it with the former Murghazar Zoo's history of animal mistreatment.