Wildlife SOS commemorated World Environment Day this year by rescuing 2 more sloth bears from a life of cruelty and pain. The bears were seized the evening of June 5 during a village raid. The bears, a male and a female, were injured; their claws had been cut to adorn necklaces and their hair torn out and used for symbolic charms to ward off bad luck and distress, a practice known as “Tabiz”.
The bears were brought to the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre where they will be in quarantine for three months. They are severely malnourished and dehydrated and have infected muzzles. They will be fed nutritious food and fluids, and they will also be treated for the infections as well as given a course of antibiotics for tuberculosis (just in case) and vaccinations.
Geeta Seshamani, Secretary of Wildlife SOS, has extended support to the two families who now need a new source of income. She states, “Enforcing the Wildlife Act is our duty but helping the community to find alternate livelihoods is the key to sustainable conservation.”
