India Part III: Wildlife SOS: Bear Rescue Facility

Wildlife SOS, an organization that helps protect and preserve wildlife in India, was the reason behind our trip to India.  I first learned of them through the rescue story of Raju, an elephant who spent 50 years in chains.   Lance and I began to donate monthly to the organization and decided last year that we would volunteer here. 

I know people don’t understand us.  We get mocked, teased, and strange disapproving looks.  Why go to India to see elephants when you can see them at the zoos in the US? There are elephant sanctuaries in the US.  Why India?  Why travel thousands of miles?  Wildlife SOS is special, very special.  I cannot emphasize that enough, and it’s volunteer program allowed for personal and intimate interaction with the elephants.  Some may say this is unsafe, but during my week visit, I never felt unsafe---not even for a moment.  The volunteer program, at its conclusion, provided my family with a unique experience that allowed us to establish an intimate bond with the animals and staff, and because of this, we feel a personal connection now to the organization.   What we were able to see, do, and experience at Wildlife SOS is something we could not do in the US.  It was a very unique and special experience.

Wildlife SOS Bear Rescue Facility

We spent a total of 7 days at WSOS.  Six of those days were with the elephants.  Wildlife SOS, however, also rescues sloth bears (dancing bears).  These bears were taken as babies (while their mothers were poached) and sold into this cruel slave business.  Their muzzles would be pierced with a hot iron rod and a rope would be pulled through.  This rope would be pulled, and the bear would be in such agonizing pain that he would jump up as if he were dancing.  This was a practice deep in the history of India, but Wildlife SOS rescued the last dancing bear in 2009.  When we first arrived at the bear facility, we were given a tour and provided with a history of the rescue facility and the individual stories of some of the bears.

sloth bear

During our time at the bear facility, we were able to make porridge for the bear.  Brandon and Mia smashed bananas and eggs (with the shell) into the porridge. We fed 14 of their bears.  They slurp the porridge up and make a very loud, distinct slurping sound.

mashing the banana and egg

distributing the porridge

porridge

scrubbing the porridge pots

preparing watermelon for the bears

about to deliver sweet watermelon

We also built an enrichment for the bears, which is used to keep them mentally and physically active.  It is like a giant play area made of wood and rope.  The entire family with the other volunteers worked together.  This was an INCREDIBLE experience because it showed the effectiveness of teamwork.  My boys particularly liked building the enrichment, which was like fort building to them.  It was not easy. We had to carry/move heavy logs.  We cut rope and tied them tightly.  It was rewarding to see the final finished project. 

I love Mia's face as she holds the wood with her fingertips. 

should I trust Mia?  

and we did it!!!!

While at the bear facility, we also took a boat ride along the Yamuna River where we were able to view many birds in their natural habitat.  This is the same river that flows up to the Taj Mahel. 

Being at the bear facility, we learned so much about WSOS.  They not only rescue bears and elephants, but during the period we were there, they also rescued a donkey, a hyena, and a snake.  I had never seen a hyena that close.  It was incredible.  We were also able to see WSOS staff tube feed a snake.  Where could my kids have this type of close exposure to veterinarian care? We also were able to see a donkey that was just rescued after being hit by a vehicle.

tube feeding a snake

Both the bear and elephant sanctuary have multiple dogs.  In fact, there are homeless dogs all on the streets of India. When I first arrived in Delhi, this was very heartbreaking.  After a week, I still found it heartbreaking.  The dogs at the sanctuary, however, are well cared for, and my kids could not get enough of them.  It made us miss our Buddy and Bella.

Devil--one of the many dogs.  He reminded us of Buddy. 

the bear facility

Dylan did opt to spend one additional day at the bear facility with the other volunteers while Lance, Brandon, Mia, and I went to the elephants.  He told us he was able to see the doctors sedate a bear and treat it, including trimming its nails.  He was up close to the bear.  The bears are not as popular as the elephants because the volunteers cannot have direct contact.  If I had more time, I would have enjoyed spending an additional day with the bears.

Next Stop: Wildlife SOS Elephant Center