Millie

MILLIE'S RESCUE STORY

In 2021, forest officials spotted a wild bear limping near a rocky terrain of Karnataka’s Tumkur district. On realising that the bear had fallen prey to a deadly snare, the forest department immediately contacted Wildlife SOS for assistance. In such cases, time is of the essence, and our team did not waste any to reach the location.

Geared with safety nets and tranquilising equipment, the veterinary team led by Dr. Arun A. Sha rushed to her aid. After immobilising the bear using a sedative injection, the team removed the snare that was tightly locked around the bear’s right limb. The metal snare had left a gangrenous wound after the limb fostered a bacterial infection. Identified as a female, the bear was found to be severely dehydrated and malnourished. In dire need of medical attention, she was transferred to the Wildlife SOS Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre.

Millie, as she was named, was unable to walk then, but she can be seen moving around her as a healthy bear in her new enclosure. During her initial days at the centre, Millie was scared and weary of the caregivers. She now remains calm and cooperative during any interaction, which indicates her trust in their care. Millie has shown determination to recover and is an active bear. She can be seen climbing and resting on the wooden platforms, as well as fiddling with treat-filled enrichment balls.