Hand Rearing Hope for Bear Cubs Amidst India's Human-Wildlife Conflict

Driven by the relentless march of urbanisation, habitat loss, and antiquated practices like the 'dancing’ bears tradition, human-bear conflict in India has significantly increased. This clash particularly impacts the Sloth bears, Asiatic black bears and Himalayan brown bears, pushing their populations to precarious levels.

Asiatic black, Himalayan brown, Sloth bears: Vulnerable

Approximately 7,000 Asiatic black bears survive in the wild in India and are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. Similarly, with  less than 1,000 Himalayan brown bears existing in India, their populations face critical endangerment. Sloth bears, too, find themselves in jeopardy with a dwindling population of 11,000 individuals, earning them a vulnerable status in the IUCN Red List.

The backdrop of this conflict involves the ruthless poaching of bear cubs, left orphaned when mothers fall victim to conflicts and retaliatory killings. The cubs, spanning various age groups and sometimes as young as one week old, face the grim reality of forceful early weaning.

Over the past two decades, Wildlife SOS has undertaken a groundbreaking endeavour in hand-rearing several bears all over India through its centres pioneering in wildlife conservation, namely, Agra Bear Rescue Facility, Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre in Bangalore, Dachigam Rescue Centre in Jammu and Kashmir and Pahalgam Rescue Centre in Jammu and Kashmir. 

 

While Wildlife SOS’ initial focus is to reunite the cubs with their mothers, in a conflict situation the reunion can prove to be difficult as the mother bears are often killed, leaving the cubs stranded and in need of intensive care. When all avenues for reunion prove futile, hand-rearing becomes the last resort. Reflecting on the two decades of hand-rearing bear cubs, Wildlife SOS has standardised the care of neonatal bear cubs based on extensive observations. 

Cubs undergo care, health monitored

In this intricate process, the cubs under the meticulous care of the veterinarians at Wildlife SOS, undergo a mandatory 30-day quarantine—a pivotal period for disease prevention and acclimatisation to their new environment. Caregivers, assuming the role of surrogate mothers, offer comprehensive care, vigilantly monitoring the cubs' health and employing gentle techniques to stimulate defecation, mirroring maternal care in the wild.

To recreate a semblance of their natural habitat, the cubs' enclosures are meticulously maintained at optimal temperature and humidity levels. Gradual adjustments to the condition of the enclosure is made to mimic the transition for a cub from den life to the wilderness with its mother. 

Bedding and a specialised dark weaning room, reminiscent of cave conditions, is provided to the cubs to counter potential vision impairment from intense sunlight exposure. The bear cubs are nourished with formula milk with specific ratios of dry matter, fat, protein, and sugar—a formula carefully crafted after scrutinising the milk components of mother bears.

As the cubs mature, they transition to a diet of mashed fruits and honey, following diligent feeding schedules that contribute to their robust growth. Routine check-ups, with a keen focus on body weight, remain pivotal in ensuring proper food intake and growth rates.

As the cubs come out of their neonatal stage, Wildlife SOS provides expansive enclosures mirroring their wild surroundings, complete with enrichments such as climbing and hiding spaces. The organisation emphasises an all-encompassing care approach, addressing the physiological, psychological, and behavioural needs of these bears. 

In the face of the escalating human-bear conflicts, the tireless efforts of Wildlife SOS not only throw a lifeline to these bears but also become exemplary for the implementation of comprehensive wildlife conservation practices. As we navigate the delicate balance between human progress and preserving wildlife, we believe this story has the potential to engage your readers and spread awareness towards conservation.

This story is published in collaboration with Wildlife SOS.

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