Two orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs were released into the wild at Dehing Patkai National Park on World Environment Day, June 5, 2026, after months of scientific rehabilitation at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga. The release, carried out by a team of veterinarians, forest personnel and animal keepers, follows their rescue from Jorhat district last year and a formal site-selection process prioritising the cubs’ safety and long-term survival.
Forest officials said the cubs, estimated at four to six weeks old when found, were discovered abandoned in Dissoi Reserved Forest on February 26, 2025. A local resident who found them handed the cubs over to forest authorities; despite extensive searches, their mother could not be located, prompting their transfer to CWRC for specialised care.
At CWRC the cubs were treated for mild dehydration and reared in the small-mammal nursery under the supervision of Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury and his team. They were fed a canine milk replacer and gradually exposed to conditions designed to build natural behaviours and foraging skills required for life in the wild.
Their rehabilitation followed the Asiatic black bear protocols developed by the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CBRC) at Pakke Tiger Reserve. A detailed scientific assessment evaluated several release options; although the Dissoi Reserved Forest was considered, concerns about nearby human settlements led authorities to select Dehing Patkai for its dense forest cover, rich biodiversity and relatively low human interference.
Following approval by Chief Wildlife Warden Vinay Gupta, the carefully planned translocation and release operation was completed. The Chief Minister’s Office posted on X to mark the event, describing the release as a conservation success and an example of Assam’s growing commitment to wildlife protection under the state government.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/assam/assam-two-orphaned-asiatic-black-bear-cubs-released-into-wild-after-rehabilitation/53236/
Category: Assam,Asiatic black bear,Dehing Patkai National Park,Wildlife conservation
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Publish Date: 2026-06-05 21:30:00
