Kaziranga (Assam) [India], August 20 (ANI): Two orphaned Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) cubs, rescued from Dissoi Reserve Forest in Jorhat in February 2025, have been soft-released into Dehing Patkai National Park, marking a significant step in Assam’s wildlife conservation efforts.
Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, said the cubs, then only four and six weeks old, were discovered alone by a local youth and handed over to the Nakachari Beat Office under Jorhat Forest Division. With no trace of their mother, they were shifted to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga for specialised care.
“At CWRC, the cubs were treated for mild dehydration and nurtured in the small mammal nursery under the close supervision of Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury and his team. They were reared on a canine milk replacer and gradually introduced to conditions that would prepare them for survival in the wild,” Dr. Ghosh said.
The rehabilitation followed Asiatic black bear protocols of the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CBRC), Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh. Efforts focused on proper nutrition, maintaining natural behaviours, and minimising human imprinting to enhance their chances of successful reintegration.
A scientific survey determined Dehing Patkai National Park as the most suitable release site, considering natural cover, distance from human habitation, prey availability, and local community awareness. The park offers rich vegetation, abundant resources, minimal human interference, and committed support from forest staff and local communities.
Formal permission for the release was granted on June 4, 2025, by the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam. Following this approval, the CWRC team successfully translocated the cubs, giving them a genuine chance to thrive in the wild.
“The journey of these Asiatic black bear cubs—from their rescue in Jorhat to care at CWRC and finally their release in Dehing Patkai—demonstrates the impact of science-driven rehabilitation, ethical wildlife management, and community involvement. It reflects Assam’s commitment to protecting its wildlife heritage and giving even orphaned animals a second chance at freedom,” Dr. Ghosh added. (ANI)
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