Sloth bear cubs trapped in deep well rescued in Tumakuru

BENGALURU: Two young sloth bear cubs, which were found trapped inside a 20 feet deep dry well near Tumakuru district, have been rescued by wildlife volunteers and forest department staff recently. The mother bear, which also had a fall, was left on the brink of death and soon succumbed to injuries and starvation in the well. Wildlife SOS and the Karnataka Forest Department found the orphaned cubs clutching their dead mother tightly and nursing from her.

The bears were first discovered by local farmers in Pavagada (of Tumakuru) located about 200 kms from Bengaluru city, on Tuesday.They later reported the incident to the Forest Department who in turn contacted Wildlife SOS, the NGO which runs a Bear Rescue Center at Bannerghatta. Volunteers immediately responded to the emergency call and arrived at the spot.

Members of the rescue team said that they suspect that the bears had been trapped inside the well for over 48 hours. “The female bear had succumbed from starvation and physical injuries sustained during the fall. Post mortem evaluation revealed the female was severely dehydrated and had fractured the lower jaw (mandible) due to the impact of the fall. The cubs were still nursing from their dead mother when a rescue team arrived at the location. The mother bear is believed to be around nine years old and her cubs have been identified as a male and female of approximately 20 weeks,” said a volunteer.
Dr Arun A Sha, Director-Wildlife Veterinary Operations, Wildlife SOS, said, “The cubs have sustained wounds and abrasions on their body and are under a lot of trauma currently. They have been moved to the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre where they will be under continuous medical observation and treatment. We hope they survive the ordeal.”