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Chitra

Female , 23 years old

Adopt Chitra today

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About Chitra

Chitra has had a new lease of life, free from fear, pain and trauma. It seems that her memories of the past have finally faded as she no longer hurries away at the sight of new faces or gives way to the other bears when tasty fruits are scattered for them along the path of the forest. Chitra really does seem to be making the most of her retirement and enjoying life just being a bear.

Although quite elderly now, Chitra is still leading a comfortable and happy life. She spends most of her time with her best friend Shiva and together they are seen digging and scouting for termites. On a lazy afternoon, when most of the bears will be napping or resting on hammocks, you can find Chitra, sitting alone, totally engrossed in digging up the earth. Our beautiful and feisty bear is a great digger and can be found sleeping in her home-made mud pits to keep cool.

Unfortunately, Chitra cannot be released back into the wild as the vets require close contact so they can monitor her health and wellbeing. But, we have vowed to her to give her a sanctuary for life to live out the rest of her days peacefully and full of delicious honey logs.

Adopt Chitra today to receive regular exclusive updates and join her on her road to recovery.

Chitra's Story

Chitra was the 500th bear that was rescued in India, just before Christmas 2008. She gets her name from Chitradurga, the area in India where she lived her life as a dancing bear. Her poor muzzle had been pierced several times, leaving it painfully swollen and inflamed with a huge tear down one side.Her canine teeth had been knocked out leaving gaping, infected cavities in her gums. She was rescued from her Kalandar owner from a village in Chitradurga Karnataka and was severely malnourished and neglected. Forced into becoming a dancing bear, she had been subjected to years of abuse and injustice. Made to starve for months at a stretch, she had lost all hope.

Chitra at rescue
Chitra with her kalandar owner

Chitra weighed a scrawny 62 kilos when she was first brought into our Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Sanctuary and crouched in fear, expecting to be beaten. The ring through her delicate nose had to be surgically removed, along with the ropes wound tightly around her neck.

Nervous and starving, Chitra was given tasty fruits sprinkled with vitamins to improve her health, and lots of TLC. Slowly her appetite and health improved and she became more trusting and gregarious. However, Chitra was a very naturally shy bear; she hated receiving veterinary treatment and developed a phobia of enclosed spaces. This is due to when she was stolen from her mother as a cub and kept locked in a small box for several weeks before being sold as a performing bear. She was extremely fearful of unfamiliar people, clearly anticipating that they were going to hurt her. It would take time and patience to resolve her behavioural and psychological problems. The keepers said she didn’t sleep much for a long time but they hoped she was gradually learning to forget the nightmares of the past.

Chitra in her enclosure
Chitra hiding behind a bush

To ensure a smooth transition to her new life, Chitra needed to be introduced to other bears with whom she could interact with. Once Chitra’s wounds had healed, she was kept in a socialisation pen for a few weeks with some other bears. Everyone was astonished when she went to the climbing platform where another bear, Abhimanyu, was lying down and fell asleep next to him. In the evening she even helped Pooja dig a little pit! It was so heartwarming to watch Chitra finally be able to enjoy herself after over a decade of neglect.

One afternoon when Chitra was outside, two younger bears began play fighting and, although Chitra joined in gamely, the bears were too tough for her and she was clawed on her neck and her ears were nipped. Chitra was therefore put in a den with a small outside run and started on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs after the wound was dressed. After three weeks of treatment and care she was fit and her cuts had healed. Luckily, she completely recovered from this setback and she could return to the socialisation pen with other bears. The brush with the young bears didn’t seem to have knocked her new-found confidence and she became more settled and content – perhaps accepting at last that the bad days of being abused by humans were over and she no longer had anything to fear. The keepers are so kind to her, the food plentiful and she had acres of woodland to explore. Her coat became glossy and her eyes began to brighten.

Chitra struck up a wonderful friendship with Shiva with whom she had been sharing her enclosure. Lots of new enrichments such as hammocks and swings kept the pair busy playing together. They soon formed a strong bond and could always be found cuddling up for an afternoon nap – they even shared their treats with each other! Watching the two bears play wresting or digging shallow pits for their naps made us realise the value of the work that has been done. Freeing the dancing bears from a lifetime of misery and giving them back some of the natural life that they had lost has only been possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

Chitra in the sun
Chitra on a climbing frame

Chitra’s transition from a scared, shy bear to a feisty, playful one has been a truly heart-warming journey to witness. Her favourite pastime was foraging for scatter feed and insects – just as she would in the wild. Sometimes she could often be spotted chasing after birds when out in the forest! She was however, always on alert when she senses a human presence. She is solitary and shy when it comes to humans – and very special too, asking no more of life than the freedom just to be a bear.

Chitra was moved to a new enclosure where she made friends surprisingly quickly, but she would still prefer to be left alone to enjoy sleeping out in the forest. Her favourite foods to gorge on have always been watermelons, dates, cucumber, porridge, ground nuts, honey, milk and coconuts - which she cracks open by jumping on or using a stone. She enjoys all her meals and loves sharing it with her best friend Shiva. Chitra does get bothered if she doesn’t get her food on time and is very punctual! Even if there is a five-minute delay in her feeding, she comes to her den’s gate and starts calling out for her keeper. She has always been too timid to enjoy human interaction, although she shows genuine affection for her keeper Mehboob.

Chitra Adopter Video - May 2018

When Chitra turned nineteen-years-old, the team of vets decided that it would be best for her to be moved to the geriatric care enclosure where she could be given specialist care. The enrichment in the new enclosure was designed in a way that they are easier for elderly bears to play with. Ever since moving to the unit, Chitra became much more cordial with the keepers and other team members. The behavior change of developing a calmer demeanor as a bear grows old is well documented, and we are happy that Chitra is relaxed and enjoying her old age.

What you get?

Adopt Chitra today and you will receive:

  • A personalised certificate in recognition of your adoption
  • A high quality picture of Chitra to frame
  • An animal fact sheet with information on Chitra and sloth bears as a whole
  • Exclusive news, photos and videos of your adopted animal sent via email and available online
  • A soft plush bear toy (optional)
Chitra adoption pack