Life at our centres is filled with rescue stories, dedicated medical care, and a deep sense of responsibility. But if you think that it’s always work and no play, then think again. While our team stays busy taking care of our rescued animals, the bears, on the other hand, are busy nurturing their joyous spirits! There are moments filled entirely with fun and smiles, especially with three of our recently rescued young sloth bears who have turned their spaces into playgrounds! Let’s dive into their daily shenanigans, starting with the youngest of this lot, Jimmy.
Jimmy: 100% Fluff, 200% Energy!
Found abandoned in a culvert near a busy highway when he was just two months old, Jimmy was safely brought to the Van Vihar Bear Rescue Facility (VVBRF) in Bhopal. Today, he is a healthy one-year-old “bundle of energy”!
Jimmy’s morning begins with a bang. He plays with whatever catches his eye first, whether it is a wooden stick, a plastic drum, or a rubber tyre. Our little acrobat is constantly climbing up and down his favourite hammock where he loves to sleep. One can find him constantly on the move, be it splashing around in his pool or digging in the dirt to snack on insects.
When hungry, he hunts for the surprises his caregivers leave in his enclosure, like murmura (puffed rice) mixed with chana (chickpeas) tucked into secret hiding spots, or honey and peanut butter smeared on swings, rock mounts, and enrichment balls. He has a massive sweet tooth for dates, jaggery, murmura laddoos (puffed rice balls), and honey-flavoured fruit popsicles. He savours fruits like watermelon, mango, and muskmelon but completely ignores bananas and pomegranates.
Jimmy is also a great learner when it comes to target training sessions. These sessions make any medical check-up needed easy for both the bear and the veterinarians. Jimmy and the doctors are currently working on prompts to help him present his arms. Caregivers stand by, rewarding jolly Jimmy with tasty treats. Speaking of caregivers, Jimmy shares a beautiful bond with them! His face lights up the second he hears his name being called, and he excitedly stands on his hindlimbs when he sees them! Far from being shy, this little one is quick to get on his two legs even when an unfamiliar person approaches. And that’s not all. He also blows air from his mouth! It seems that this is Jimmy’s way of asking “how you doin’?”
Jenny: The Smartest ‘Pookie’ Of Them All!
At just one year and three months old, Jenny is a vibrant testament to resilience. She was found alone, sitting beside her injured mother in Madhya Pradesh. Her mother eventually succumbed to injuries, leaving the little cub orphaned and vulnerable. Though she had a heartbreaking start to her life, she is now thriving in a large enclosure with Molly, Lissy, and Gracie, at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF).
Her mornings usually kick off with an energetic mock wrestling session with Molly, who is an older bear and acts as a protective mother. Once Molly gets tired, Jenny happily goes and plays with Lissy.
Jenny is undeniably the cleverest bear at the centre, famously known for playfully tricking her caregiver. During her target training sessions, she will often respond to a requested prompt just one step short of completion, so that she is quickly given the reward of her treats. This brilliant bear makes her caregivers keep track of time, just as much as she does!
When fresh fruits are served, Jenny completely ignores mangoes but happily chooses watermelons, apples and papayas.
Though she is naturally shy and quite calm, Jenny responds with gusto when her name is called. She happily takes two or three forward rolls to reach and greet her caregivers! If one happens to walk past her enclosure during a quiet moment, a gentle humming sound may be heard. This soothing and comforting sound is what Jenny creates while licking the paws. According to experts, humming is a vocal cue cubs use in the wild to signal their wellbeing to their mothers.
Lissy: She Knows How To Add Fun To Her Day!
Lissy is an incredibly delightful four-year-old sloth bear. She was rescued from the cruel ‘dancing’ bear trade in Jharkhand, where she endured a pierced muzzle and smashed canines. Today, at ABRF, she is thriving and completely at ease with everyone she meets.
Her morning always starts with a big stretch before she heads over to her breakfast. Once she reaches her bowl, Lissy has a curious habit of plunging her entire snout into the porridge… just to blow air and make bubbles!
She loves biting into fresh fruits like mangoes, watermelons, and papayas. One day, her caregivers made a scarecrow-like enrichment out of a burlap feeder, bamboo leaves and a watermelon head. Lissy was clearly struck by this weird humanoid figure, but she couldn’t stay away from it for long. After some time, she was back to where it was placed, making sure to completely tear it apart! Facing her fear with courage brought Lissy the real “fruit” of this labour!
Lissy also knows well that playtime and snacks come in together. She enjoys exploring enrichments all by herself, the newest one being the erected wooden feeder that she doesn’t let go of!
Happy Lissy shares a special bond with her friend, Gracie, and follows her everywhere. When Gracie climbs a wooden platform or tree trunk, Lissy is very quick to follow. But when it is time to come back down, Lissy is always much faster, leaving Gracie to take her time to figure it out. After a good time climbing, Lissy loves to cool off, taking wild splashes in the pool alongside Jenny and Molly, while Gracie patiently waits outside till the three finish splashing water everywhere before she can finally join them in the pool.
Jimmy, Jenny, and Lissy faced traumatising events in their young lives. We can only appreciate and be grateful for the support that we are receiving for helping them feel safe and secure, and closing those dark chapters of their past. Watching them now — being happy, mischievous and full of endearing energy — shows how these young ones are receiving all the love and care they need for a healthy today and a bright tomorrow!
Feature image: Sanjeev and Mradul Pathak/ Wildlife SOS
