If you ever find yourself watching the bears at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF), there is a good chance you will notice this sight.
A sloth bear strolls across the enclosure, its nose close to the ground investigating every scent along the way. A few moments later, another bear appears. The first bear changes its direction. The second bear changes it too. One settles under a shady tree. The other quickly follows. One decides to wander towards a honey log. The other isn’t far behind.
Meet Kamli, a gentle and playful sloth bear, whose favourite activity seems to be keeping track of her favourite companion, Suri.
Kamli was just 5 months old when she was rescued by Wildlife SOS in 2007. The bear cub was suffering from the brutality of being beaten and tortured for the heinous practice of “Dancing Bears”. Her teeth were smashed, and her muzzle bore the painful piercing made by a red hot iron rod for a tugging rope to pass through.
It has been close to 20 years since Kamli has been under our sensitive care. She has matured into a healthy, social and extremely mischievous bear! Most sloth bears enjoy being independent during their sweet solo time. Not Kamli. This bear prefers company.
At ABRF, Kamli has formed an exceptionally close bond with Suri. Wherever Suri goes, Kamli isn’t far behind. Whether they are exploring their enclosure, searching for hidden treats or deciding on the perfect spot to rest. The pair can almost always be found together. Their friendship has become one of the most heartwarming sights for the caregivers who know them best.
Kamli’s day usually revolves around a single mission: find Suri and see what he’s doing.
If he decides to investigate an enrichment, Kamli investigates it too. Sometimes, she gently places her face against him, or makes soft humming sounds near him, as though letting him know only too well that she’s around.
But of course, even the strongest friendships have their disagreements.
One of Kamli’s best-loved enrichments is a tyre hammock suspended within the enclosure. It is the perfect place to relax, sway and escape the day’s heat. Unfortunately for Kamli, Suri is rather fond of the same hammock too. This often leads to light-hearted squabbles over who gets the coveted resting spot first. While neither bear is willing to surrender it easily, the argument rarely lasts long because soon enough, the pair are lounging on it together.
Kamli’s enclosure is divided into two sections: an indoor, den-like space where she also receives her meals, and the outdoor area that offers plenty of opportunities for adventure. The outside area mimics the habitat and allows the sloth bear to roam, forage, and engage in natural behaviours. Here, Kamli can also be seen doing what sloth bears wisely do. She digs out pits to curl up inside them for cosy naps. During the cooler winter months, Kamli’s self-created marvels are filled with straw to bring her warmth.
The fondness for digging continues all year long. Sloth bears somehow know that the ground beneath the first layer of sand is actually cooler, and so, in summers, they carve out craters in their field to nap within. Caregivers, on the side, make special arrangements to help the bears escape the heat. Kamli can often be found resting inside the den areas, taking advantage of desert coolers that are attached there. When outdoors, she actively finds the best shaded spaces and makes sure to get sprayed with water from sprinklers installed in the enclosure. Fresh fruits such as watermelon become a sweet source of hydration while ice popsicles — frozen fruit chops — provide an occasional refreshing surprise. Unlimited access to clean drinking water ensures that the bears remain comfortable even during the hottest days.
Despite all her unique quirks, Kamli can’t help perking up for sweet treats just like any other sloth bear.
Like many sloth bears, she eagerly looks forward to honey, dates, jaggery, and juicy mangoes. Kamli is particularly a fan of Honey logs which encourage her natural drive to investigate by rewarding her curiosity with delicious flavours.
Kamli is generally most active during the cooler parts of the day. She can often be seen wandering in the early morning or becoming particularly energetic during the evening hours. At other times, she is perfectly content relaxing in the shade, enjoying her surroundings, or simply keeping a close eye on where Suri has wandered off to.
After years of hardship, she now spends her days doing what every bear deserves to do: foraging for insects using their long claws, staying preoccupied with enrichments, and resting on soft platforms. When it comes to her routine target training sessions, Kamli has proved to be extremely intelligent. Target training is conducted by veterinarians using gentle gestures to ensure that Kamli’s, and the other bears under care, health is regularly supervised. What keeps Kamli ever-ready for these sessions are the yummy treats that caregivers bring along. She knows that each time she responds to the cue given, she’ll be rewarded with them. Kamli’s cooperation also reveals the trust she has secured in her caregivers, who have been by her side since the day she first arrived.
Whether she is competing for the tyre hammock, investigating a honey log or simply following her best friend across the enclosure, Kamli reminds us that the smallest moments of joy are often the clearest signs of a healthy life.
Some bears are known for their strength. Others are known for their curiosity.
Kamli may be remembered for something much simpler: her remarkable ability to turn companionship into an everyday adventure!
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Feature Image: Shresatha Pachori/Wildlife SOS
