British Dentists Called in to Treat Rescued Dancing Bears in India
A team of British dentists was called in to help treat a group of dancing bears in India last week. The team provided treatment for 19 sloth bears, who had been rescued by workers at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility.
The bears had been mistreated and were in poor health when they were found. Many had tumours as a result of living with broken and rotten teeth for years. Vets from Wildlife SOS in India and International Animal Rescue UK answered a mercy call from staff at the rescue centre and vets worked for hours to fix broken teeth and remedy other dental health problems visible in the bears. Each operation lasted around three hours.
Sloth bears are an endangered species. Sadly, many are taken captive as cubs and used for entertainment or medicinal purposes. The Agra Bear Rescue Facility is home to around 200 bears, including Maddy, who was captured as a youngster and has endured years of abuse since. Thanks to workers at the rescue centre, Maddy and bears with a similar back story are recovering well and enjoying life much more.
Dr Arun A Shah, vetinary director at the facility, said the bears are doing well after dental surgery and the team hopes they will be fit and raring to go in the next couple of weeks. During their recovery, the bears will be fed a soft food diet and given painkillers to make them feel more comfortable. Treatment will not only cure dental infections, it will also help to boost the bears’ overall health.
CEO of International Animal Rescue, Alan Knight, said that British vets played an instrumental role in the effective treatment of the bears.
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