The Agra Bear Rescue Facility is the largest sloth bear rescue facility in the world. Established in 1999 by Wildlife SOS in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, it currently houses 110 sloth bears as well as many other species of wildlife in large forested enclosures with ponds and shady trees. The facility undertakes advanced research, disease management and provides specialised veterinary as well as geriatric care for sloth bears.
In Agra, each rescued bear undergoes a 90-day quarantine period during which they are given a complete health checkup and treated for any diseases, wounds, and parasites. The bear is vaccinated against rabies, leptospirosis, and infectious canine hepatitis. After the quarantine period, the bears have access to large socialisation enclosures where the behaviour and personality of each bear is closely monitored by the Wildlife SOS vets and staff.
Based on each bear’s personality, they are matched to a group and then moved to a larger, free-range area. Wildlife SOS has full-time wildlife veterinary doctors and a dedicated team of bear caregivers to look after the rescued bears. The bear hospital has a laboratory in addition to essential equipment for x-ray and ultrasound, along with a dental suite, an operation theatre, and other apparatus needed to meet any bear care needs that may arise. A special cub weaning area in the bear facility is dedicated to fostering baby bears rescued from poachers, as the cubs require a lot of careful attention during the early months.
The Agra Bear Rescue Facility runs with the long-term commitment of our international partners International Animal Rescue-UK and One Voice Association-France. We are extremely grateful to our individual donors and supporters.
 Agra Bear Rescue Facility, Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Keetham Lake, Agra, India – 282007 |
