Conservation Education Programme at Agra Bear Rescue Facility JUNE 2007

Seven students, two coordinators and 2 days of non-stop action and excitement. A weekend workshop at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, nestled in the Sur Surovar bird Sanctuary turned into an eye-opening experience for all seven of us, as we participated in the daily chores at the centre. In the forested environment it was hard to imagine that we were just 4 hours from Delhi. For those 2 days we forgot about our urban up bringing and immersed ourselves in the world of bears. We were exposed to the cruel and illegal practice of the wildlife trade and sensitized to issues involving both the plight of the Indian sloth bear and the impoverished kalandars.

On the first day we were introduced to the staff and shown the facilities that have been painstakingly created for the Bears by the collaboration between Wildlife SOS and the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department. Quickly choosing personal favorites and recognizing each bears unique traits. We learnt an important lesson in life; one that cannot be found in any textbook, after all Nature is the best teacher. The afternoon saw us building an enrichment building platform for the rescued bear cubs to play on. Being city kids it was a challenge to build a sturdy structure, but through sheer determination and a will to make a difference we succeeded. As the day progressed our conversation turned more serious and we learnt how the cubs were stolen from the forests by poachers, after brutally killing the mother and the atrocious treatment they received at the hands of the kalandars. 

The second day saw us doing a lot more work. After barely 3 hours of sleep we got up bright and early and reached the facility well in time to help prepare the breakfast for the bears. Initial hesitations were forgotten and we willingly plunged our hands into the pungent slush consisting of fruits and honey that was their breakfast and helped in washing up the dishes once they were done. Breakfast was followed by an interesting experience as we helped the Bear keepers and Wildlife SOS staff in cleaning the non animal areas. Being untrained we were not allowed contact with the rescued Bears. The morning chores of the WSOS staff also involved weighing a large male bear. We helped by bringing the weighing equipment from the store to the keeper area. The keepers and the veterinary doctor expertly coaxed the bear into a cage using fruit & honey and then it took over 6 people to lift the cage onto the scale. The weather was beautiful our surroundings tranquil and our company the best, the morning was perfect in many ways. This was such an educational visit. It made us all feel so responsible towards the wildlife and environment that surround us. We were different people after this visit.

The rest of the day was spent cutting fruits, watching the Bear cubs feeding on ants, cracking jokes and trying to stay away from ‘Danger’: the peacock who fancied himself a rottweiler, we even observed a rat snake that wandered into a bear enclosure as the wsos staff expertly rescued him and watched him being released back into the wild. Baby nilgai / black bucks (antelope) are often brought to the Rescue Center by the Forest Department as and when they rescue them from ferral dogs or road accidents, the WSOS staff have no choice but to bottle feed and provide foster care for these baby nilgai. Sometimes these animals cannot be released back into the wild as they cannot fend for themselves. Some such angulates are residents of the rescue center. After a prolonged discussion and farewell to all the wonderful staff of A.B.R.F, we finally left with fond memories and wild stories. Eager to get home and spread the word about what we had learnt, yet reluctant to leave. We are now changed people - determined to make an effort to help protect and conserve wildlife.

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