There is never a dull moment at Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre (BBRC), given the colourful personalities of the rescued bears along with the presence of vibrant animals from the Bannerghatta National Park. From boisterous bears like Maahi to naughty ones like Mithali and playful ones like Odum – their dispositions never fail to surprise us! While we often talk about the more outgoing and loud bears, there are some like Kavi, who are reserved and aloof. Let’s take a peek into the life of our rather shy bear of the month- Kavi!
Rescued and rehabilitated from the dancing bear tradition back in 2008, Kavi emanates an aura of mystery. She is secretive and keeps to herself most of the time. Rather than jumping and playing around with other bears, Kavi prefers to spend her time napping under a tree, or sniffing around the grass in her field. These solitary habits are closer to what sloth bears in the wild have. They prefer their own company, coming together with other bears only to mate. The females raise their young for 2-3 years, after which the cubs venture out on their own, equipped with survival skills and are ever-ready to take on the wild!
A few years ago, in a surprising incident, a wild sloth bear had wandered into BBRC accidentally breached the moat that separates the rescued sloth bears from the rest of the wild animals at Bannerghatta National Park. This male bear mated with Kavi, and she gave birth to a female cub, later named Cupid. Cupid’s birth was an utter surprise for the bear care staff, as Kavi kept her hidden until she emerged to forage – by which time Cupid was already two months old! Kavi nurtured her cub for a few years, after which, they drifted apart in the most natural way. Cupid now resides in her own enclosure which she shares with other bears who are closer to her in age, and has grown into a playful and healthy bear.
Kavi can usually be spotted snoring on her hammock as she lays on her back during a hot summer day. She spends most of her time climbing trees or lounging about in her hammock. She prefers to remain in small dens and freshly-dug out holes around her enclosure. These spaces make her feel secure and comfortable. She snoozes there for hours at an end, with only the furry tip of her head poking out of the hole! The damp mud and the freshly dug-up area make for cool and cosy spots during warm afternoons, and Kavi is always delighted to curl up there while the other bears frolic in the fields.
The only time that Kavi perks up with a lot of energy is when she spots her caregiver nearby! As soon as she catches his scent or hears the food cart rolling about, she darts out of the little mud holes in a jiffy! She knows that her caregiver has a steady supply of honey and peanut butter, so she follows him in the hope that he would hand out a dollop to her. For Kavi, peanut butter is simply the best and she absolutely relishes every opportunity to slurp her favourite snack! However, the caregiver knows the tricks that Kavi has up her sleeve. Even though her expression may melt everyone’s hearts, he only gives her the amount that is healthy for her to consume. (We wouldn’t fault you if you fell for her gorgeous eyes, because her gaze can certainly melt hearts!).
We thank you for supporting us in giving Kavi the right food and medical treatment and care that she deserves. If you wish to sponsor one of our rescued animals, you can do so, by clicking here!
