Two orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs were recently released into the wild at Assam’s Dehing Patkai National Park after receiving extensive rehabilitation at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga National Park. The cubs, rescued at four to six weeks old from Dissoi Reserved Forest in Jorhat district on February 26, 2025, were discovered alone and later transferred to CWRC for specialized care. The successful release of these cubs marks a significant conservation milestone in Assam.
On World Environment Day, the Chief Minister’s Office highlighted this achievement, showcasing Assam’s dedication to wildlife conservation under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership. The cubs, hand-reared under the supervision of wildlife veterinarian Bhaskar Choudhury and his team, underwent months of care and rehabilitation at CWRC before being reintroduced into the wild at Dehing Patkai National Park. This process aimed to ensure the cubs’ well-being and readiness for survival in their natural habitat.
The rehabilitation process, following established protocols from the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation in Arunachal Pradesh, focused on addressing mild dehydration, nurturing natural behavior, and reducing human imprinting. A thorough scientific assessment determined Dehing Patkai National Park as the ideal release site due to its dense forest cover, ample food sources, and minimal human interference. With approval from the state’s Chief Wildlife Warden Vinay Gupta, a team of veterinarians, forest personnel, and animal keepers successfully translocated and released the cubs, marking a significant step in wildlife conservation efforts.
