Twenty years ago, Aleem arrived at Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) at the age of 4, having been rescued from the cruel ‘dancing’ bear practice. His earlier owners had pierced Aleem’s delicate muzzle to insert a nose ring through which a rope was tied, the painful tugging of which would cause searing pain and force physical reactions that were wrongly perceived as entertainment. Upon his rescue from Andhra Pradesh in 2006, he was found severely malnourished and in poor body condition, bearing wounds that spoke volumes about the hardships and exploitation he had endured during the first four years of his life.
Like many rescued ‘dancing’ bears, Aleem also reflected physical as well as emotional scars. The trauma that the rescued bears have endured in their early years makes them wary of human interaction, which is why trust is one of the hardest things to build with them. In the initial months after his rescue, every interaction with Aleem focused on helping him slowly feel safe in his new surroundings.
As Aleem started showing a positive response to caregiving, he was introduced to other rescued bears to lift his spirits more, and he made friends with fellow bears Ambika and Sultan Bi, with whom he would spend hours exploring around. Alongside these friendships, Aleem also began engaging with enrichments designed to keep him mentally stimulated and physically active, marking another important step in his healing journey.
Now 24 years old, Aleem is one of the senior residents at ABRF and receives specialised geriatric care to support him through his golden years. Although he prefers his solitude, he remains active, alert, and quite playful for a bear his age, spending his time at a pace entirely of his own choosing. He shares a spacious enclosure in harmony with other rescued sloth bears, but more often than not, caregivers find him curled up in one particular corner that he seems to have claimed as his own little territory. Here, in his own space, Aleem enjoys quietude and a slower daily routine.
Aleem has been a resident at our centre for two decades, and one of the most precious bonds that he has formed is with his caregiver, Rakesh, who has been closely looking after him since he joined Wildlife SOS in 2007, just a year after Aleem’s rescue. Rakesh has come to understand Aleem’s habits, moods, and preferences better than anyone else at the centre.
The caregiver also sees Aleem growing older, noting how his movements have become slower and more deliberate than they were earlier. Aleem finds Rakesh always by his side, who ensures that the bear in his care eats well, remains comfortable, and receives all that he needs. To support his changing physical abilities, his enrichment activities are thoughtfully adapted so that they continue to keep him mentally engaged and easy to participate in.
The veterinary team provides regular health monitoring and periodic supplements that include multivitamins along with liver and joint support medication to help maintain Aleem’s quality of life as he ages. The doctors call him the “star bear” when it comes to target training, which involves giving gentle cues to bears to carry out medical examinations. Aleem has mastered the art of responding to the prompts, and the key reason behind this is his favourite treats of coconut and dates that the staff rewards him with.
While Aleem is a very easy-going bear, he occasionally makes his preference known in his own subtle ways. On days when he decides that his meal is not quite sweet enough, he simply pushes the feeding bowl aside until an extra drizzle of honey or a little more jaggery find their way into the food!
His diet includes multi-grain porridge served in the morning and evening, with three protein sources of milk, egg, and chickpea added in. To make his meals both nutritious and enjoyable, caregivers add natural sweeteners like honey, dates, and jaggery, along with seasonal vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin.
Caregivers have noticed him engaged with one particular activity during the monsoon season. As the rain softens the earth, he takes full advantage of digging out abundant ants and termites that live within it. Watching him forage through the freshly softened ground is a gentle reminder of how natural behaviours of rescued sloth bears are encouraged to revive during their rehabilitation.
As the team at Wildlife SOS ensures his well-being, Aleem’s journey continues to inspire all of us. Content on his own yet trusting of the people who care for him, Aleem has found his own version of peace.
By supporting Wildlife SOS, you can contribute to the ongoing care of sloth bears like Aleem, helping them live the lives they deserve.
Feature Image: Mradul Pathak/Wildlife SOS
