If you ever find yourself exploring the leafy paths of our Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre (BBRC), listen closely and you might just hear a splash of water coming from a hidden corner beneath the stalks of bamboo. Follow the sound, and you’ll likely catch sight of a rather content sloth bear. Our loveable Gubbi has entered a shallow water trough in her enclosure, and is now reclining there with eyes half-shut and paws fully soaked. She looks like she’s mastered the art of doing absolutely nothing… and loving every moment of it!
Featuring in the ranks of oldest bears of our centres, 26-year-old Gubbi is one of the most endearing souls to come across. But what makes her truly special? Let’s find out!
Unlike most of our bears, Gubbi’s journey to Wildlife SOS began not from the clutches of ‘dancing’ bear practice, but as a consequence of a human-wildlife conflict. When wild animals are seen as threats, conflict escalates and the animals often pay the price.
It was in 2012 in Tumkur district of Karnataka when Gubbi was found wandering into the human settlement — a likely result of habitat loss, dwindling forest cover, or simple hunger. She was all but nine years old at the time and at a high risk of retaliation from fearful human communities. Fortunately, her story took a different turn due to a timely intervention by the forest department. With their assistance, Gubbi was rescued and transferred to the safety of BBRC: a place where she would no longer be seen as a threat, but as someone worth protecting and cherishing.
It took Gubbi a while to adjust to the new environment, which was safe but unfamiliar. One fine day, she met someone unexpected in her enclosure: a kindred soul that would become her forever companion. It was Swati, another sloth bear rescued two years after Gubbi, who soon became her shadow, her solace, and eventually, her best friend. The two formed a friendship, not the kind that’s short or temporary, but one embodying the unbreakable bond that exists between sisters.
Since their initial introduction, Gubbi and Swati — just like two peas in a pod — do everything together.
They’ve created their own little world within their shared enclosure. The two can be seen digging a burrow together, hopping inside it, and curling up with each other. When they spot a watermelon, they’ll push their snouts into a watermelon at the same time, licking the same chunk without so much as a grunt of protest. There’s an unspoken softness and trust in the way they accommodate each other. Given the solitary nature of bears, this scene is as rare as it is heartwarming.
Gubbi is almost four years older than Swati is, which also makes her more dominant of the two — but she never lets this factor translate into aggression. What they share is a unique sisterhood unseen amongst bears, based on a mutual and remarkable understanding that they’ve carved out for themselves.
Gubbi might not be the most athletic bear, but she very clearly plans out how she wants to spend her day. Water, for instance, is her happy place, and Gubbi loves to give time to it for a cool relief. Her caregivers are well aware of how Gubbi considers the water trough her personal throne, and she’s not giving it up for anyone!
Enrichments, too, spark her curiosity. When she’s not immersed in water or isn’t snoozing in the shade, Gubbi loves exploring enrichment treats with Swati. Her favourites include enrichment balls stuffed with treats, logs smeared with honey and peanut butter, and coconuts that she cracks open with practiced skill and precision. Their caregivers have also learned to give them their enrichments separately but in the same space, because even though they won’t fight, the two are more interested in what the other one has received!
At 120 kg, Gubbi is in excellent health for her age. Medical examinations that are conducted regularly reveal a bear in her prime: well-nourished, hydrated, and free of any chronic concerns. Delectable treats as positive reinforcements accompany her target training sessions, helping her participate in volitional check-ups. This also reflects her trust in the environment she has accepted as her safe and comfortable home — a key milestone for both Gubbi and our team that is dedicated to her care!
Gubbi has formed a quiet rapport with her caregivers and voluntarily responds to their calls, especially when food is involved! Her nourishing diet includes a hearty bowl of multigrain porridge twice a day, to which vitamins and minerals are added to suit her age. Seasonal fruits are a big part of her menu where watermelons, of course, are at the top of her list, followed closely by coconuts, dates, and the occasional peanut butter treat!
Her sweet tooth is also well-known among her caregivers. You can see the sparkle in her eyes the moment she catches a whiff of honey, and her soft grunts of approval are unmistakable. Like a seasoned connoisseur, Gubbi doesn’t gobble, she savours every slurp of her delicious goodies!
That said, Gubbi remains a wild bear at heart — cautious, reserved, and entirely immersed in her world which is now filled with yummy treats, a cooling trough and a cosy burrow with her best friend. And we respect that. The goal of our sanctuary is to protect and respect her wildness, allowing her to thrive on her own terms.
On cooler, breezy days that are common at BBRC, Gubbi chooses to sit beneath the shade of bushes, letting the wind rustle her fur. She’s a bear who chooses quiet over chaos, companionship over conflict, and calm over curiosity. Yet in her own gentle way, Gubbi teaches us that perseverance doesn’t have to roar. Sometimes, it just needs the freedom to simply rest under a bamboo grove, side by side with a friend, with a heart filled with love.
At Wildlife SOS, Gubbi’s story reminds us that animals who escape cruelty need sensitive care, patience, and compassion to thrive. If you’d like to support her journey and help us care for other bears like her, consider donating to our cause. Your support helps us write the next happy chapter of their stories!
Feature image: Hemanta Bijoy Chakma/ Wildlife SOS
