WSPA has taken a crucial step towards ending the bear dancing industry in India by opening a new sanctuary.

The completion of the sanctuary in Sur Sarovar, Agra is the culmination of three years of hard work in collaboration with the Indian organization Wildlife SOS. The construction of the sanctuary was funded entirely by WSPA. Wildlife SOS and Indian governmental authorities have assumed management responsibilities for the sanctuary, and other animal welfare organizations have combined efforts to pay the first year operating costs. Care for the Wild, International Animal Rescue, Free the Bears and One Voice are all contributing funds to help keep the bears healthy and well-fed.

As of this writing, 28 sloth bears have been voluntarily surrendered by their former owners, who are Kalandar gypsies. In exchange, the gypsies are given job training and equipment such as motorized rickshaws or welding tools so they can still support themselves.

"All of the bears look happy and are running around and playing in the holding areas,"
reports Paul Hammond, who oversaw the sanctuary construction. "They are expecting 10 more bears within the next week."

The bears are being held in smaller holding areas until they are deemed healthy enough to be released into the larger sanctuary grounds, which encompass approximately 17 acres. The sanctuary features manmade dens and two large pools where the bears can swim, as well as a cub weaning room, a clinical laboratory and a veterinary clinic.

The sanctuary was built in response to the cruel bear dancing tradition in India, where over one thousand sloth bears are forced to 'dance' to entertain tourists. The bears' owners make money from tourists who pay to have their pictures taken with the bears.