June 20, 2025 - A five-month-old female sloth bear cub has found safe refuge under the expert care of Wildlife SOS after being rescued by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department from Bahgarh village in Shahdol. The cub, now named Jenny, was found beside her gravely injured mother, a victim of human-wildlife conflict, who later succumbed to her injuries despite intensive treatment.

Jenny is currently being hand-reared at the Wildlife SOS Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF), where she is receiving round-the-clock neonatal care.

Amidst the quiet forests of Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, a tiny sloth bear cub was rescued after her mother sustained grave injuries. Despite intensive efforts by the forest department, the mother unfortunately passed away. With little chance of surviving alone in the wild, the orphaned cub was cared for by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Aware of the immense care, love and attention required for the cub to survive, she was brought to Wildlife SOS’s Agra Bear Rescue Facility for specialised neonatal care.

Upon arrival, she showed clear signs of trauma and digestive distress. She was immediately placed in the cub weaning area, where the organisation’s veterinary team initiated a careful, round-the-clock care regimen to stabilise her condition.

The cub – named Jenny after actress ardent animal lover Jennifer Winget – is now showing steady signs of recovery. She is being fed a specialised milk formula twice in a day and has responded well to her nutrient-rich diet. Her coat and appetite have improved significantly, and she is steadily gaining weight.

"This young cub has endured tremendous trauma at such an early age," shared Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS. "Thanks to the timely action by the forest department and the dedication of our team, Jenny now has a second chance at life," he added.

Geeta Seshamani, co-founder and Secretary of Wildlife SOS, said, "Our caregivers are focused on providing her the maternal care she lost. Her emotional and physical well-being remains our top priority."

According to Baiju Raj MV, Director, Conservation Projects at Wildlife SOS, “This case underscores the impact of habitat encroachment and the importance of rapid wildlife response. We are grateful to the forest department for their swift and compassionate action.”

Sharing details of Jenny's recovery, Dr Ilayaraja S, Deputy Director, Veterinary Services at Wildlife SOS, said, "The wholesome diet we have prepared for her is reflecting its impact on her demeanour - the five-month-old infant has a healthy amount of appetite, and her fur has begun to soften as well. All her fatigue has been replaced by cheerful playfulness."

Jenny’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the growing threats faced by wild animals. Wildlife SOS urges people to support conservation efforts and raise awareness about the urgent need to protect habitats and reduce human-wildlife conflict.