Jimmy & Jenny – Two Orphaned Bears Share One Incredible Journey From Joyless To Joyful

International Animal Rescue supports the care and healing of two sloth bear cubs rescued in heartbreaking circumstances

In the forests and villages of central India, two tiny sloth bear cubs, Jimmy and Jenny, each faced a life-threatening situation, far from the safety of their mothers. Alone, scared, and vulnerable, these cubs have now found sanctuary thanks to the combined efforts of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, the expert teams at Wildlife SOS, and the ongoing support of International Animal Rescue (IAR).

At just a few months old, Jimmy and Jenny should have been riding on their mothers’ backs, learning to forage, play, and explore the forest. Instead, both cubs were suddenly left orphaned. Jimmy was found huddled beneath a culvert on a busy highway and Jenny discovered beside her injured mother in a remote village. Their mothers never returned.

Jimmy - The Cub Under the Bridge

At just four months old, Jimmy was discovered alone beneath a highway bridge near Bandhavgarh National Park. For four agonising days, the forest department kept watch, hoping his mother would return. But with no sign of her and Jimmy’s health rapidly deteriorating, the decision was made to intervene. Malnourished and terrified, Jimmy was first taken to Bandhavgarh for emergency care and later transferred to the Van Vihar Bear Rescue Facility in Bhopal.

Now under the 24/7 care of Wildlife SOS’s veterinary team, Jimmy is beginning to show his playful spirit. He bites at toys, chews on enrichment logs, and rolls around in the safety of his enclosure, behaviours that reflect not only his recovery, but his resilience.

“Jimmy the bear is in safe hands now and stands every chance of living a long and happy life,” said Alan Knight OBE, President of International Animal Rescue. “We’re incredibly proud to support his treatment and the extraordinary care being provided by our partners at Wildlife SOS.”

Jenny - The Cub Who Wouldn’t Leave Mum’s Side

In Shahdol, another tragedy was unfolding. A five-month-old female sloth bear cub, later named Jenny, was found clinging to her critically injured mother, believed to have been the victim of human-wildlife conflict. Despite efforts to save her, the mother died, leaving Jenny orphaned and emotionally traumatised.

Transferred to the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, Jenny arrived with signs of severe stress and digestive issues. She is now housed in a specially designed cub-weaning area, receiving a custom diet of milk formula and around-the-clock care. As she begins to heal, Jenny is slowly becoming more active and gaining weight, with her soft fur and curious gaze revealing a gentle spirit on the mend.

“Though we would have ideally liked to see Jenny grow up in the wild, right now the aim is to provide her the best life possible under long-term care.” said Alan Knight.

From Joyless to Joyful

Both cubs are being raised with expert care that mimics maternal nurturing, with regular feeding schedules, warm enclosures, and constant human attention from trained caregivers. As they continue their recovery, the cost of their care, from specialised nutrition and veterinary treatments to psychological enrichment remains substantial.

“These cubs have endured so much loss and trauma so early in life,” said Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS. “Thanks to swift action and dedicated care, Jimmy and Jenny are getting the second chance they deserve.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP JIMMY & JENNY

International Animal Rescue is calling for urgent donations to support the long-term care and wellbeing of Jimmy and Jenny. Your contribution ensures these orphaned cubs continue to receive the love, safety, and medical attention they need, not just to survive, but to thrive.

donate now to give Jimmy and Jenny the life they deserve: https://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/donate


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