Bear Diary: Mandro’s Mighty Metamorphosis

“The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?”

– Jeremy Bentham, English philosopher (from his 1789 book The Principles of Morals and Legislation, in defence of the voiceless)

The year was 2008, when Wildlife SOS received a call about a sloth bear in distress in Maharashtra. When our team first discovered Mandro, he was emaciated, severely malnourished, had damaged and infected teeth and was a victim of the illicit ‘dancing’ bear trade. Mandro’s journey with us at our Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) is a tale worth sharing. Finally, after a life of pain, he was saved to lead one of peace.

A Troubled Past and a New Beginning

Till the age of nine, Mandro was in agony. He was forced to perform for amusement by tugging one end of a rope that was brutally pushed into his pierced muzzle. In addition to his physical wounds and weakness, Mandro had developed extreme stereotypic behaviour, which indicated that mankind had not been kind to him.

With prompt action, our team at Wildlife SOS provided Mandro with the medical care he needed to support his physical and emotional well-being. For the first time, this neglected bear began to experience humane care and affection. This marked a new beginning for Mandro.

Currently 25 years old, Mandro is receiving gentle geriatric care at ABRF. Although he is less active and moves more slowly than he used to, Mandro’s cognitive abilities and curiosity about his surroundings are barely affected by his age.

Caregivers place priority towards the needs and requirements of all our rescued bears at the centre. During the cold months, the winter management plan is put in place to ensure that along with the rest, Mandro too remains warm and comfortable. Hay stacks to nestle within are placed in his den, and halogen bulbs are turned on at night for necessary heat. Additionally, jute fabric is used to cover Mandro’s den to protect him from cool winds.

Balancing Friendship with Solo Time

Mandro is also a social bear in his own way, and is quite fond of his enclosure mates Bintha and Mowgli, two younger bears who were also saved from a harsh fate. If he’s feeling adventurous, he’ll happily tag along with the two for some playful exploration. Even though Mandro tires off faster than his friends, the three share a rich camaraderie.

Mandro immensely enjoys Mowgli and Bintha’s company, but often chooses to spend time all by himself, lounging. He soaks up the sun for hours on his hammock. Mandro keeps himself physically occupied as well while digging pits with his sharp claws. However, his motive to do so is to quickly get one for a cosy nap! The importance he gives to his resting time remains undeterred — even by the scent of tasty treats!

Enrichments For Mandro

Mandro’s caregivers and veterinarians at ABRF make sure he gets the best possible care. While his enclosure offers him comfort and safety, enrichments placed within them provide him with ample physical and mental exercise.

Mandro keeps himself engaged with a variety of food-based enrichments that have been thoughtfully set up in his enclosure. Among them are scent balls, multi-layered wooden puzzle feeders, bamboo feeders and multi-diagonal puzzle feeders. These feeders are filled with some of Mandro’s favourite treats of coconuts, dates, and jaggery, and each time he retrieves them, his reaction indicates his surprise!

Delicious snacks within these enrichments keep Mandro’s mind active. Recently, an interesting addition was made to his feeding enrichments — a rotatable high feeder has been introduced in his enclosure. Hung from a height by thick ropes, this enrichment is made of cylindrical wooden logs with numerous holes punched into them. These logs begin to rotate just when Mandro and his companions try to reach the treats within it. This new activity has managed to capture Mandro’s full attention. His caregivers have observed him deftly manipulating the feeders to get to his mouth-watering rewards.

A Special Diet and Care Routine

Mandro loves his mealtime! He’s a devoted watermelon lover, with a soft spot for sweet honey and irresistible peanut butter! Every day, he slurps down his nutritious millet porridge and egg with great vigour. During winter, Mandro receives an extra boiled egg and protein-rich broth to keep him warm and nourished. Additionally, portions of honey and jaggery are also multiplied in his porridge during this time to boost his energy.

Despite his age, Mandro remains robust and healthy. To ensure his overall welfare, he receives supplements like multivitamins and liver tonics for his digestion.

A Promising Future

Mandro leads a contented and peaceful life at ABRF. Despite the horrors he had to endure in the past, he has showcased his resilience by overcoming it and embracing a life of love and care.

Mandro’s story is a powerful reminder of how compassion can make a difference in the lives of animals who have suffered. By donating towards the care of sloth bears like Mandro, you can help us continue to provide them with a life filled with comfort and the needs they deserve.

Feature Image: Atharva Pacharne/Wildlife SOS