Named Luna after her transfer to Bhopal, the cub is recovering from a hip fracture, paw wound and painful foot injury under constant veterinary supervision and a monitored diet.
An injured five-month-old sloth bear cub found abandoned in the forests of Madhya Pradesh has been rescued and placed under specialised veterinary care at a bear rescue facility in Bhopal.
The female cub was found alone on the forest floor in the buffer zone of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in a severely weakened condition, the State Forest Department said. Separated from her mother, she was dehydrated, anaemic, underweight and unable to walk properly because of an injury to her left hindlimb.
The cub was transferred after her rescue to Wildlife SOS’s Van Vihar Bear Rescue Facility in Bhopal, where she was named Luna.
Initial examinations found a hairline fracture near her left hip, likely caused by a fall in the wild. She also had a severe wound on her left paw, a damaged claw and an ulcerated foot pad that made movement extremely painful.
In a forest landscape known for its high density of predators, an injured cub without maternal care would have had little chance of survival.
Luna is now showing signs of recovery under round-the-clock care, regular wound management and a carefully monitored diet. The cub is eating well, gaining weight and slowly rediscovering her playful nature, according to those caring for her.
Her rescue underscores the challenges faced by young wild animals that suffer serious injuries in their natural habitats, as well as the role of rescue and rehabilitation centres in helping them recover.
