It was early February 2025 when the winter breeze continued to sweep through the quiet reaches of the Jaitpur Forest Range in Madhya Pradesh as the scent of sal (Shorea robusta) and salai (Indian frankincense) hung heavy in the jungle. Through the rustling leaves emerged a mother sloth bear, walking cautiously along the blurred boundary where the human world met the forest. On her back, she carried her two cubs who were all but little tiny bundles of life, clinging to her thick fur for warmth and safety. There beneath the boughs of village Bahgarh, Shahdol, she foraged for food, her head lowered as her nose sniffed the earth for ants and termites. However, an unfortunate turn of events would soon change what would otherwise be an ordinary day for this happy family.
A group of cattle, grazing at the edge of the forest, spotted the mother bear emerging from the undergrowth. What followed was a chaotic scenario when the herd, perhaps startled or maybe out of fear, charged at the bears, resulting in the death of one of the cubs on the spot. Grief and urgency surged through the mother as she stood her ground to fight and protect her remaining baby. Claws swiping and teeth bared, she did not falter until the danger subsided and the cattle scattered. But the odds were cruelly against her. With all of her strength exhausted, the mother bear soon collapsed, leaving her surviving cub mewling in fear and confusion.
After being informed about the brawl by the villagers, officials from the Shahdol Forest Division arrived at the woeful scene: the mother bear gravely injured, her breaths labored, and her surviving cub huddled against her, trembling and helpless. The cub’s cries pierced the forest air, echoing the loss of her family.
Acting immediately, the pair was rushed to safety by the forest officials — the cub to the Tala Range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, and her mother into intensive care. The efforts were earnest, but fate was unkind. The mother’s injuries were extensive, and despite the best efforts of veterinarians, her brave fight came to an end. Consequently, her surviving cub — barely two months old, was left alone in a world all alone.
A mother’s role in a sloth bear’s life is nothing short of vital. To keep their young ones safe while navigating dense forest to forage, the mother carries her cubs on her back for the first six to nine months of their lives. Shielding her cubs from every danger or predatory threat in this way shows how sloth bear mothers provide them with utmost protection.
Recognising the immense care and attention the orphaned cub would need to survive without her mother, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department stepped in with dedicated support during her initial days. However, understanding that her recovery required specialised, long-term care, they made the crucial decision to transfer her to Wildlife SOS’s Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF). Here, our team received her with the gentleness that such a young life demands.
Introducing Jenny
When the two-month-old cub first arrived at ABRF, her small frame trembled as she curled up into a ball, hiding her tiny face beneath the folds of a blanket that was provided to her. She tightly clung to it, just as she would to her mother for the warmth she needed. Time and time again, she would peek out, with her small, frightened eyes scanning her surroundings.
During the initial examination by our veterinarians, the cub weighed only 5 kg, with a coarse coat and eyes that reflected deep exhaustion. Unsettled digestion was also noted, with diarrhoea, abdominal flatulence, and signs of dehydration pointing to gastrointestinal disorder. Physical and mental trauma was inevitable for the young one who was dealing with the absence of her mother in a new environment.
Our team at ABRF sprang into action. A caregiver well-experienced in nurturing orphaned bears at our centre was assigned to her. He understood that in cases like hers, trust must be earned slowly and gently. It was also during these early, delicate days of care that we lovingly named the baby bear ‘Jenny’ in honour of one of our long-time supporter and an ardent animal lover, Jennifer Winget. Her concern for wildlife and commitment to animal welfare continues to encourage us every day. We hope that under our warm care, little Jenny grows up to be a healthy, happy, and vivacious sloth bear.
Now five months old, Jenny currently resides in the cub weaning area — a warm, isolated space where orphaned cubs can rest without stress. As part of our hand-rearing protocol, every surface is cleaned with care to eradicate possibilities of infection. Jenny’s fragile immune system required not only comfort, but constant vigilance as well.
To provide her with her daily nutrition taking into account her young age, Jenny’s feeding routine is a carefully planned regimen, structured to ensure she receives all nourishment necessary for her growing body. She is currently being fed five times a day. Her first intake is the baby milk formula in the morning, and a few hours later, she is given ragi (finger millet) porridge enriched with milk formula. In the late afternoon, she slurps watermelon juice — her newfound favourite — and in the evening, a healthy portion of nutritious wheat porridge is prepared for her. Later, just before she falls asleep, Jenny is fed the milk formula once again.
The wholesome diet is also reflecting its impact on her demeanour — the five-month-old infant has a voracious appetite, weighs a healthy 15 kg on the scale, and her fur has begun to soften as well. All her fatigue and fear have been replaced by cheerful playfulness!
Jenny is also given various supplements comprising vitamins, calcium, and phosphorus, Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acid, immunity boosters, and probiotics. One of Jenny’s initial health challenges included diarrhea, which was most likely caused by stress and improper intestinal motility. To aid this, medications ranging from syrups to oils and electrolyte powders were added into her meals. Rather than overwhelming her with multiple treatments at once, the team adopted a thoughtful approach: each medication was given individually by either mixing it into her porridge, her baby milk formula, or the watermelon juices she most looks forward to.
Jenny’s Journey
Jenny’s daily life at the ABRF is more or less a blooper reel of playful antics, tender moments, and endearing antics. Playtime is when Jenny’s adventurous spirit truly shines. She wakes up exactly at dawn and starts her day with pouncing on her bouncy ball with uncontainable energy! She then goes on to tackle puzzle feeders with curiosity, and soon after that, she tries her best to make her small body climb trees — a challenging task that she’ll soon be an expert at!
Her jute bag hammock is one of her favourite enrichments — it’s both her fortress of comfort and her personal burrow. Just like a shy child looking to escape, she retreats into its folds, hiding her small frame deep inside. On days when she is very active, she climbs in and out of it with a barely concealed delight, or settles deep into the bag, leaving her caregivers amused at her houdini act.
Her supervised walks in the open ground every day are a joyous spectacle. Once here, Jenny transforms into a speedy streak of fur as she sprints across the field, her tiny legs carrying her in wide, playful circles. Rolling around and hunting for ants and termites is another activity she is fast taking to, with her small snout sniffing for her next treat.
Regardless of the wild rendezvous every morning, her caregivers remain her safe haven. At the slightest sound or unfamiliar movement in the trees or encountering a passing squirrel, Jenny races back to their side, pressing herself close to them as if seeking the reassurance only they can provide.
Throughout her time at ABRF, her bond with her caregivers has grown into one that is nothing short of precious. They have become the pillars of her new world as her guardians, companions, and ever-so-present protectors. Their unwavering dedication ensures that Jenny’s days are filled with love, laughter, and enrichment. Since the initial days of her arrival, they have stayed with her through the nights and the days — keeping a watchful eye on the cub. Slowly, their gentle voices began to break through her fear and over time, Jenny learned to recognise the familiar tone of her caregivers, responding with soft squeaks and happy glances of her own.
She has also begun stomping her tiny paws to demand food, complimenting them with squawks at her caregivers whenever they take away her empty plate to signify that — no, she is not full! But she also runs to them delightfully whenever she makes a new discovery. Her joyful behaviour, her enthusiasm for her hammock, and every zoom she makes across the ground are truly heartwarming to watch as they reflect her journey from fear to confidence, and from a deep loss to finding warmth and love.
Jenny’s story is not just about an orphaned cub — it’s about the wild being pushed to its brink. Her family’s sudden death shows how boundaries between forests and human settlements are fast getting blurred, resulting in negative encounters and leading to animals that naturally belong to the wild come under rehabilitative care.
Let Jenny be a reminder that animals found near human settlements are not intruders. They are equal residents of the shared planet and are navigating a changing world. An orphaned sloth bear cub rarely survives the wild. Jenny was fortunate to find a shelter for care — but not all are.
If Jenny’s story moves you, please support her wellbeing under our care. Together, we can ensure that her playful zooms, hammock hide ‘n’ seek, and love for watermelon continue!
Feature image: Atharva Pacharne/ Wildlife SOS
