Communication is the very essence of human interaction, tracing its origins back to the earliest days of civilisation. From the primitive use of symbols and gestures to the development of complex languages, both verbal and non-verbal communication have evolved as fundamental tools for expressing thoughts, emotions, and ideas. In our modern world, the ability to communicate is often taken for granted. However, for people who are unable to vocalise or hear, this is the very requirement they need to lead enriching lives.
In a volunteership programme organised by Wildlife SOS in collaboration with Enable India, an organisation dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through skill training and employment opportunities, 16 specially-abled individuals, along with four interpreters, arrived at Karnataka’s Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre (BBRC). The sessions held on 3rd and 4th January, 2025, provided our esteemed volunteers with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in Wildlife SOS’s care and conservation efforts for our resident sloth bears.
The programme began with a presentation about sloth bears, and included the screening of ‘Saving The Dancing Bear’ and ‘The Last Dance’. The messages in these videos were conveyed to the hearing impaired and mute group by the interpreters accompanying them. The emotions captured in these films resonated deeply with the volunteers as they were apprised of the cruel way in which sloth bears were treated as ‘dancing’ bears.
They were also introduced to the challenges of human-wildlife conflict, including the use of snare traps for poaching wild sloth bears, and Wildlife SOS’s efforts to mitigate these conflicts. The group was then divided into two smaller teams that were given a holistic tour of BBRC. As they witnessed the rescued sloth bears, our team informed them about the situations from which they were finally saved.
The volunteering team were also shown the in-house mealworm rearing unit, a crucial and nutritious component of the bears’ diet. The team members explained the process of breeding mealworms, highlighting their health benefits for sloth bears. Volunteers were fascinated by the life cycle of mealworms and were even given the opportunity to observe them up close.
Various enrichments created for sloth bears by our caregivers were made known to the volunteers. While observing these, they learned about the importance of enrichments in mitigating stereotypic behaviours caused by the traumatic experiences bears went through. Head-tossing and swaying are often misinterpreted as being cheerful signs, but these are signals that show the stress and negative impact of captivity sloth bears have faced.
Each group of volunteers visited the treatment facility at BBRC, where they saw the advanced medical instruments for treatments that Wildlife SOS veterinarians have for sloth bears. The volunteers gained insights into the malnourished conditions that many rescued sloth bears are found with, often supplemented with parasitic infections and digestive issues. BBRC is also home to geriatric bears suffering from respiratory ailments, which are managed with exceptional precision and care by the highly skilled veterinary team.
BBRC’s Eco-Friendly Bear Kitchen was where the volunteers understood how sloth bear porridge meals were made. The entirety of BBRC depends on renewable sources of energy, and even the bear kitchen uses briquettes that are made from organic materials that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The volunteers were captivated by the sight of bears enjoying their enrichments and engaging in playful mock fights. This added to their excitement to make enrichments for the bears, for which all the necessary materials were made available to them as they assisted the caregiving team. The activity proved to be an eventful one as caregivers demonstrated each step of the process.
Enable India volunteers also took part in joining the caregivers to de-weed and sweep leaves from bear enclosures to ensure that the fields remained clean and safe for the bears. Along with this, the group also assisted in cleaning the pools, and scrubbing away dirt and debris to maintain the hygiene and comfort of the areas bears use. These maintenance tasks not only contributed to the upkeep of the facility, but also gave them a deeper appreciation for the dedication involved in caring for rescued wildlife.
At BBRC, sustainability is a way of life, ensuring that nothing goes to waste — not even the used water from the enclosure pools. In a heartwarming display of teamwork, the volunteers formed human chains, carefully passing buckets of water from the pools to irrigate the native saplings and plants surrounding the enclosures. This simple yet impactful activity symbolised the collective effort and harmony that drives wildlife conservation.
The sessions held over the two days had also become a two-way learning experience: while the volunteers gained invaluable insights into bear care and conservation, BBRC staff learned about sign language and the volunteers’ unique perspectives. Our inspired team expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Enable India volunteers.
To add to the merriment, the volunteers introduced our team to a delightful game. This is how it was to be played: all members were to stand in a circle. One player would create a unique gesture or movement, which was to be imitated, one by one, by those standing to his right. The trick was that the person standing just before the creator of the original gesture had to change it before a whole round was completed. If this person missed changing the move, they would be out of the game! The laughter that echoed throughout this time was priceless.
The programme held between Wildlife SOS staff and the Enable India volunteers ended with smiles, cherishable memories and hearts full of love and admiration.
Volunteering at the Wildlife SOS rescue facilities offers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to the welfare of bears and elephants in India. If you are a wildlife enthusiast and would like to undergo one of the most memorable and productive experiences of a lifetime, get in touch with us at [email protected]
[Feature Image © Wildlife SOS/ Hemant Chakma]
