Wildlife SOS

Headed out the same way as Sikandra is Wildlife SOS or the dancing bear rescue sanctuary (travel to Delhi from Agra on the old road and you first come across Wildlife SOS and then Sikandra; visiting from Agra itself, it’s in reverse). Kalandars, nomadic people, made their living from forcing sloth bear to dance, originally for the Mughals over 400 years ago but more recently, for plying villagers, on highways and generally anywhere they could make a living. Cubs were stolen from mothers and tortured in order to make them dance, but thanks to the excellent effort of Wildlife SOS, the last dancing bear was removed from the streets in 2009. Of course, they didn’t want to see the Kalandars out of work and destitute, so they initially started by introducing rehabilitation and education programs for children and work for women. It is a wonderful success story; in fact, it has been so successful that Wildlife SOS, whilst still caring for the bear, has now set up a new rehabilitation centre, 10 km away for rescued elephants. At either centre, it is possible to go for a quick visit, have a two-hour tour or enrol in longer volunteer programs. Book ahead, there needs to be someone to show you around and particularly at the elephant sanctuary, there are certain times when it is better to visit, such as when they take the females for their daily walk.