Karnataka: Snared sloth bear rescued, under treatment

BENGALURU: A 15-year-old wild

sloth bear

, whose left hindlimb was severed after it was caught in a snare in Ballari, has found a new lease of life in Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre, thanks to the efforts of foresters and

wildlife

volunteers.


Recently, the staff from the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) found the bear struggling to wriggle free of the snare suspected to have been put up by poachers. After being rendered unable to move freely and forage, the bear was severely dehydrated and gaunt. Understanding that it required immediate medical attention, the staff summoned the Wildlife SOS team based in Bannerghatta and shifted the bear to the rescue centre.

Director of research and veterinary operations, wildlife SOS Dr Arun A Sha said they are conducting a series of intensive surgical procedures to trim off the exposed bone and suture the skin over it. “Our prime focus is to stop the wound from catching any secondary infection and the bear is responding well to the treatments so far. The next few weeks will be critical, but we are putting in our best efforts to ensure its recovery.”

DCF of Ballari Dr Ramesh Kumar said, “As the bear is old, it will require specialised veterinary care. I am hopeful that it will recover from this traumatic experience.”

Sloth bears live up to 15-20 years in the wild and 20-25 years in captivity.