Bobby arrived at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) in 2013. He was six years old at the time, carrying the stress of a traumatic past. With the support of the forest department, Bobby was one among three rescued from Jharkhand as a ‘dancing’ bear. He was found to be weak, with a muzzle wound caused by a piercing made for a tugging rope to be passed through. In his initial days at ABRF, Bobby needed time and space to understand what safety truly meant. He showed signs of anxiety and unrest when confined in an enclosed space. It was a response shaped by experiences he had when he was captive.
However, fast forward to today, and you’ll meet a Bobby who is nothing short of a live wire! He is curious, energetic and full of life.
[Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Vineet Singh]
Now 18 years old and weighing a healthy 96 kg, Bobby is one of the most active and playful sloth bears at the centre. He spends most of his days roaming around inside his enclosure, remaining curious and alert about everything around him. Bobby’s confidence truly shines when he is out in the open and free to explore at his own pace.
A Field Built for Exploration
Bobby’s enclosure has been designed very thoughtfully to support his lively and inquisitive nature. The large field is equipped with trees that he can climb, two ponds where he cools off during the warmer months, and a lot of open space to roam. During the rainy season, Bobby can often be seen digging the damp earth enthusiastically. Most of the time, he is searching for termites and ants, but sometimes he simply enjoys the texture of mud underneath his claws, which is a simple joy for every sloth bear.
[Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Vineet Singh]
Climbing is one activity that is at the heart of Bobby’s daily routine. Trees, platforms, enrichment structures — all of these allow him to go well above the ground. His love for climbing is so immense that one day, he playfully climbed up a tall enrichment pole and didn’t know how to get back down! Ultimately, it was the familiar scent of porridge that finally motivated Bobby to carefully make his descent. This memory makes his caregivers laugh till date, as it reflects Bobby’s personality perfectly: an inquisitive, determined, and just a little mischievous bear.
[Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Vineet Singh]
Meals, Enrichment, and Everyday Comforts
Like all the bears at the centre, Bobby also receives a nutritious and balanced diet. His meals consist of multi-grain porridge mixed with egg, chickpea, and milk. It is sweetened with honey, dates, and jaggery, and paired alongside seasonal vegetables such as pumpkin, carrot, or sweet potato. Seasonal fruits like watermelon, apples, mangoes, and papaya are also added regularly to his daily diet.
[Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Vineet Singh]
While Bobby relishes his meals, his favourites are easy to spot. Coconut and peanut jaggery blocks are always met with enthusiasm from him. Apart from this, like every other sloth bear, honey remains at the very top of his list as well.
Despite being very energetic, Bobby also likes his moments of calm. After finishing his meals, he is usually seen taking slow walks in the field before settling down in a cosy spot. There, he sits quietly, soaking in the sunny warmth, and occasionally striking such mesmerising poses that leave his caregivers amused and staff photographers extremely delighted. During the winters, Bobby prefers to dig his resting space under the sun, however in summers, he is seen taking shade to escape the heat.
[Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Vineet Singh]
Enrichments also play an integral role in keeping Bobby engaged both mindfully and physically. He rolls around drums, and gleefully climbs hammocks and structures installed with ladders. Any opportunity that involves climbing quickly grasps his attention, and on some days Bobby’s excitement even leads to some wearing off of these enrichments, making his caregivers reconstruct them one by one.
Suma (L) & Bobby (R). [Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Vineet Singh]
Bobby shares his enclosure with Suma, a female sloth bear rescued two years after Bobby. Their companionship works beautifully, as they share a similar stamina and nature. Together, they explore the field, dig pits after the rains, play, and rest, creating a stimulating atmosphere for one another.
One thing that truly sets Bobby apart is his mischievous personality. He is keenly observant and alert around new people visiting the centre, and comfortable around those who provide care to him well. His expressive behaviour and gentle interactions with caregivers make him one of the most favourite among the team at the centre.
[Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Vineet Singh]
From a bear who once showed visible stress after early years of being confined, to a confident and fun-loving explorer who climbs freely and digs enthusiastically with his companion, Bobby’s journey is a stark reminder of what patience and compassionate care can achieve. Today, he thrives in the safety and environment he deserves.
If Bobby’s story has touched your heart, you can support his care and well-being by becoming a monthly donor. Together, we can continue to create brighter days for sloth bears like Bobby.
Featured image: Vineet Singh/ Wildlife SOS
