International Animal Rescue has stepped in to support the care and healing of two sloth bear cubs, Jimmy and Jenny, who were rescued under heartbreaking circumstances in central India.
The two cubs were found alone and vulnerable in the forests and villages of central India, far from the safety of their mothers. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, the expert teams at Wildlife SOS, and ongoing support from International Animal Rescue (IAR), the cubs have now found sanctuary.
At just a few months old, Jimmy and Jenny should have been with their mothers, learning to forage, play, and explore the forest. Instead, they were orphaned when their mothers never returned.
Jimmy, who was just four months old, was discovered alone beneath a highway bridge near Bandhavgarh National Park. The forest department kept watch for four days, hoping his mother would return, but with no sign of her and Jimmy’s health rapidly deteriorating, they made the decision to intervene. He was first taken to Bandhavgarh for emergency care and later transferred to the Van Vihar Bear Rescue Facility in Bhopal.
Under the 24/7 care of Wildlife SOS’s veterinary team, Jimmy is starting to show his playful spirit. He bites at toys, chews on enrichment logs, and rolls around in the safety of his enclosure, signs that he is recovering and resilient.
Alan Knight OBE, President of International Animal Rescue, expressed his pride in supporting Jimmy’s treatment and the extraordinary care provided by their partners at Wildlife SOS.
In another tragic incident in Shahdol, a five-month-old female sloth bear cub, later named Jenny, was found clinging to her critically injured mother, believed to have been the victim of human-wildlife conflict. Despite efforts to save her, the mother died, leaving Jenny orphaned and emotionally traumatised.
Jenny was transferred to the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, where she arrived with signs of severe stress and digestive issues. She is now receiving round-the-clock care and a custom diet of milk formula in a specially designed cub-weaning area. As she continues to heal, Jenny is becoming more active and gaining weight, with her soft fur and curious gaze revealing a gentle spirit on the mend.
Alan Knight stated that although they would have preferred to see Jenny grow up in the wild, their current focus is on providing her with the best life possible under long-term care.
Both cubs are being raised with expert care that mimics maternal nurturing, including regular feeding schedules, warm enclosures, and constant human attention from trained caregivers. However, the cost of their care, from specialised nutrition and veterinary treatments to psychological enrichment, remains substantial.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, expressed his gratitude for the swift action and dedicated care that Jimmy and Jenny have received, giving them the second chance they deserve.
International Animal Rescue is urgently seeking donations to support the long-term care and wellbeing of Jimmy and Jenny. Contributions will ensure that these orphaned cubs continue to receive the love, safety, and medical attention they need to not only survive, but thrive.
To donate and give Jimmy and Jenny the life they deserve, please visit https://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/donate.
This news story was distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.