Suri’s journey to freedom began in 2007 when he was rescued as a five-month-old cub from the brutal ‘dancing’ bear trade in Varanasi. His tiny, emaciated body bore the scars of immense suffering. He had a rough and dry coat indicating the poor health and hygiene the bear had faced. A rope had been cruelly passed through his pierced nose, and his canines and lower incisors had been broken.
Yet, Suri’s resilient spirit has flourished under the constant care of his caregivers and veterinarians. He is now 19 years of age, residing at Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) where he has found quiet comfort and a sense of belonging.
Suri enjoys a peaceful life at the sanctuary alongside his companion Kamli. The two often sit under the shade or bask in the sun together. Despite their old age, they are often seen engaging in playful wrestling. In the wild, such mock wrestling is a crucial developmental activity for sloth bears, helping them sharpen their instincts and responses. These bears move on all fours with their heads naturally angled downwards, but just when they sense a threat, they use a strong defense strategy by getting on their two feet or charging towards it. Suri has grasped this natural instinct wholly and is prepared for anything that comes his way!
However, when it comes to enrichments, Suri channels his instinctive behaviour slightly differently. The caregivers and expert veterinarians have observed how Suri likes to engage with enrichments while sitting down. So, his enrichments are placed keeping his interest in sitting in mind. Since he loves to lounge around his enclosure, honey logs and bamboo feeders are placed just above the swinging hammock. He likes to perch comfortably and claw his way through the holes of the feeder and attain his favourite treats – dates! He is fond of coconuts as well. Often when he is offered a coconut, Suri uses his curved claws and scoops out the kernel with great ease and perfection.
This sloth bear’s diet is also carefully curated just like his enrichments. Suri receives multigrain porridge made out of ragi (finger millet), jowar (sorghum) and bajra (pearl millet). Vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and pumpkins are added to his meals as such fibrous greens act as digestive enhancers. Suri is also always on the lookout for juicy fruits. Every day, after he is done slurping on his morning meal, his anticipation for mangoes, watermelons and apples is easily measured through the excited gallops he takes along his enclosure. Even in winters, he would come out of the comfort of his den for bites of juicy watermelon. This particular fruit that is known to be the saviour of summers is served to Suri in winters as well to maintain hydration levels.
Suri’s behaviour is very dependent on the changing seasons as well. During monsoon, Suri often retreats into his den and curiously gazes out at the small puddles that are formed as raindrops create ripples in them.
Since he is over 15 years of age, senior bear Suri is given geriatric care by his dedicated caregivers. Although his fur is shiny and black, signs of aging are slowly showing. The fur on his forehead is gradually turning white. He receives regular supplements such as multivitamins and multiminerals to ensure his immunity is regulated and his heart remains strong. Suri also receives yearly vaccinations to prevent him from rabies and other respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.
Suri’s confident nature is evident when he promptly responds to cues during his target training sessions. He receives honey as a part of performing these actions voluntarily. The ursine is not undergoing any treatment right now and is in the pink of health. However, target training is extremely necessary for ease in regular checkups such as drawing blood and blood pressure measurement. Suri’s calm and cooperative nature has always left the veterinarians astounded.
Many of Suri’s behaviours reflect a lot of natural instincts that a sloth bear would depict in the wild. This includes the habit of rubbing and scratching against low hanging tree branches. Sloth bears mark their territories through pede-marking — an act that looks like a bear is doing the twist with their feet! But actually, while rolling their feet on the ground, they are spreading their scent. Back rubbing against trees also does this. While Suri showing off these amazing moves, these could also be supporting the seasonal shedding of fur on his body.
All these signs lead the biologists at Wildlife SOS to believe Suri is thoroughly connected with the wild. This favourable outcome comes from our carefully designed enclosures and a natural environment. Even if Suri’s story began how no other sloth bear should ever begin, he strongly testifies how healing and hope defines the care for every bear at ABRF.
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Feature Image: Mradul Pathak/Wildlife SOS
