Three Orphan Bears Released in Manas Sanctuary

Recently, a wonderful gift has been presented to the Manas National Park by the International Fund for Animal Welfare-Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI). Three orphaned Asiatic black bears which were hand-raised by this renowned NGO, were released in the deep jungles of Manas National Park located in the lower Assam.

In the year 2008., these three endangered species of black bear has been rescued by the Forest officials of Assam in three different incidents from the captivation of the local people. Forest officials has handed over these trio to the lower Assam's unit of IFAW-WTI Mobile Veterinary Services(MVS).

This MVS of the IFAW-WTI organization has raised these three orphan black bear cubs at their Kokrajar Field Station unit. From mid 2008, a “ assisted release programme” was initiated to rehabilitate them to the Manas National Park. They were kept under the strict observation of the members.

In this period, every day, bears were taken to the forest by the keepers. So, that they can accustom with the forest environment. At the initial stage of “assisted release programme”, the bears were used to stay in the camp for night and fed on concrete food for their dietary requirement.

But, with the gradual passage of time they had learned to identify their natural food and other survival skills. Slowly, they had adopted the wild environment and started showing their unwillingness to return to the camp for night stay.

After the successful completion of this “assisted release” period, members of MVS of IFAW-WTI has released these threatened species of black bears in their natural habitat. But to keep a check on their activity they were radio –collared.