The last two known “dancing bears” of Nepal have been rescued by an animal charity, after “a lifetime of suffering” at the hands of their captors.

The two sloth bears, Rangila and Sridevi, are recovering from the enduring psychological stress of performing for human entertainment.

The World Animal Protection charity said it worked with the Jane Goodall Institute of Nepal and with police to finally put an end to the bears’ misery.

Rangila, a 19-year-old male, and Sridevi, a 17-year-old female, had suffered years of cruelty after being sold to their owner for the illegal practice of bear-dancing.

Their owners removed their teeth and pierced their noses with a burning hot rod, before shoving a rope through the piercing to control the animals who were kept tethered with ropes and chains.

It is not known how many years they were kept in captivity.

The practice of bear dancing was popular in the Middle Ages through to the nineteenth century in Europe and Asia, but has now almost died out.

The charity said local police helped them locate the bears in Iharbari, southeastern Nepal, by tracking the owner’s mobile phone.

“The bears were extremely distressed and showed signs of psychological trauma such as cowering, pacing and paw sucking,” the charity said.

“We’re proud to have made such an incredible rescue – this is an incredible way to end 2017.”

“We are thrilled that the last two known Nepali dancing bears have been rescued from their lifetime of suffering,” said Manoj Gautam of the Jane Goodall Institute of Nepal.

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Neil D’Cruze, a wildlife expert for World Animal Protection, said: ‘It’s extremely distressing to see animals being stolen from the wild, and the sad reality is there are more wild animals suffering across the world, purely for the entertainment of tourists.

“I am pleased that for these two sloth bears a happy ending is finally in sight.”

The owners reportedly escaped with just a “stern warning” from police.