It is just two weeks till Diwali, and this year we are raising money to adopt Sloth Bear - Molly, with the sale of Diwali cards from @ayansartforconservation.
Molly at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, © Wildlife SOS
In November 2019, five sloth bears – consisting of 2 adults and 3 sub-adults – Arthur, Molly, Ginny, Charlie and Ron, were rescued in an anti-poaching operation by the forest department and police authorities based on information provided by the Wildlife SOS anti-poaching unit ‘Forest Watch’ near the Indo-Nepal border.
Wildlife SOS’s anti-poaching unit ‘Forest Watch’ and the Forest Department rescued five sloth bears from wildlife traffickers near the Indo-Nepal border in 2019. They were eventually
rehabilitated at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility where a new life awaited them.
All five bears had their teeth smashed with metal rods and coarse ropes were inserted through their muzzles so they could be used for street performances. The timely intervention helped to rescue these bears from illegal trafficking and a lifetime of torture. Upon her arrival at the center, Molly was placed in quarantine so that the veterinarians could conduct a detailed medical examination. Molly was also given positive conditioning training to help her adjust to her new life and to ensure maximum comfort with regular medical checkups. While a little hesitant at first, Molly figured out that for every successful interaction, she gets rewarded with her favorite treats (Watermelon & Papaya). The team noticed that Molly socialized well with Arthur so they were placed in the same enclosure. The two have formed a close bond and spend their days playing with enrichments and even enjoying their meals together.
To read more about the dancing bear practice in India, please visit my previous blog on Molly's companion Arthur, who we adopted last year.
You can help support Molly and other rescued animals at Wildlife SOS by purchasing Diwali Cards or other art from my shop. Purchases can be mailed anywhere in the world, and if you are in Singapore, they will reach you in 3-5 working days.
The Diwali Collection from @ayansartforconservation
And finally a big thanks to Aprajita Anil from @thegupcup for capturing my story in her latest podcast.