Wildlife SOS in its national mission to conserve sloth bears in the wild and rehabilitate sloth bears in captivity, specially those held by the Kalandars moved a significant step forward with the opening of the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre at Bangalaore, Karnataka. The agreement to create this facility was signed between the Zoo Authority of Karnataka and Wildlife SOS on November 29th, 2005. A victory for the bears-in-need!
Since then Wildlife SOS has rescued 67 Kalandar bears and we care for the rescued sloth bears in a green and naturally rocky refuge with large ponds scattered throughout its 43.5 acres. The night dens have been redone with new flooring and all broken masonry and metal work has been replaced. Bears that could not access fresh air and sunshine are now free to wander around in spacious socialization pens that lead into large free ranging spaces. Their diet now includes multi grain “rotisâ€, porridge, honey and large quantities of seasonal fruits. The keepers and vets work at keeping them active and stimulated with a variety of enrichment activities.
Karnataka still has bears that are being tortured and abused 55 more Kalandar bears still await rescue and need to be brought to the safe refuge of Bannerghatta where health care, nutritious food and plenty of space to roam ensures the bears recover from their trauma and learn once again to be bears.
The Wildlife SOS Bear rescue project and Kalandar Rehabilitation programme is supported by international partners-International Animal Rescue, Free The Bears “Australia, One Voice Association- France and Humane Society International-Australia.
