www.wildlifesos.org Feature image: Shresatha Pachori/Wildlife SOS
The Curious Case Of Jumping Jenny
If energy could take shape, climb trees, and demand chunks of watermelon, it would probably look a lot like Jenny.
But Jenny’s story didn’t begin with all this play and curiosity that we’re about to tell you of. It began in the forests of Madhya Pradesh, where she was found as a tiny cub, just 2 months old, after a tragic encounter at the edge of human habitation. Separated from her mother far too soon, she was brought to our care at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Fragile and uncertain, Jenny was in need of constant support. What followed was a journey shaped by round-the-clock care, careful nutrition, and slow building of trust. Her journey with us turned fear into curiosity, and hesitation into the bold, spirited personality we see today.
From the moment she wakes up, Jenny, now a year old, doesn’t just casually begin her day, she launches into it with utmost vigour. One minute she’s peeking out of her resting spot, and the next, she’s already plotting her next adventure, whether that’s conquering a log, splashing through water, or turning a simple tyre into a possible hula hoop!
With all that energy, we had to make sure that the little one has a big enclosure to exhaust all of it. In a way, keeping up with her vivacious spirit is a full-time job in itself. Inside her enclosure, there’s a curvy wooden hanging enrichment made of logs. She stands on her two legs, grabs the enrichment, and just as it turns, she too swings along with it! While doing so, what’s within it are the hidden dates that come tumbling down. She is also seen wrestling with this structure, in case it has more of these dates that haven’t made it through!
Jenny doesn’t just like water, she celebrates it! Her enclosure has a small pond, where she truly comes alive, splashing with such enthusiasm that it feels less like a bath time and more like a water park adventure. Water droplets fly in every direction as she stomps, rolls, and rejoices.
When North India saw heavy showers before the summer set in, most bears under our care did what one would usually expect of them: stayed dry and cosy within their indoor dens. Jenny, however, had other plans. She woke up, peeped out of her shed to “check” the weather, and within seconds decided that this was, in fact, the best muddy day ever. What followed was hopscotching through puddles, splashing, and turning the rainy day into a playful game day.
Inside Jenny’s enclosure stands a tall tree with a wooden platform built at the top, an enrichment designed to boost their climbing ability. Most bears enjoy it. If climbing had a scoreboard, the other bears would comfortably score a six, and a more jolly one like our recently rescued bear Gracie, who loves climbing trees, might reach a nine. But Jenny can simply outrun and demolish all records set by her forerunners at the centre. Her swiftness easily surpasses a measly scale of 10! She races up the tree, settles on the platform attached, and then casually starts playing with branches all around within the “verandah” made specially for her.
Jenny isn’t just active, she’s remarkably sharp. Target training cues that usually take time for other bears to recall are nothing but pieces of cake for Jenny. Take sleeve training, for instance, where she’s required to calmly present her forearm so the team can monitor her health. While many bears need time to understand the process, it only took two attempts for Jenny to figure it out. It’s the kind of learning curve that even makes her caregivers go, “Wow, that was fast!”
For Srinu Srikanta Maharana, Wildlife SOS’s Senior Research Assistant at ABRF who has been working closely with her, watching a young sloth bear grasp concepts this quickly is as fascinating as it is rewarding. While Jenny may be independent in her adventures, she shares a close bond with both Srinu and her caregiver, Deshraj. When Jenny first came to our centre, she was dealing with health challenges like diarrhoea that were brought on by stress. Specialised hand-rearing care was given to the cub, with required supplements blended into her milk formula she received. Caregivers were committed to provide constant nourishment, comfort, and reassurance to Jenny, which has worked wonders for her well-being.
Graduating from milk, Jenny was led to a nourishing porridge, and it quickly won Jenny’s heart. Among fruits, watermelons and apples are her firm favourites, and she would choose them every single time over the others offered. With the onset of summer, there’s an all new fresh scent in the air: will mangoes make it to her list of favourites as well?
Jenny’s unstoppable curiosity and liveliness show how she’s growing up to be a healthy and happy sloth bear. Every run, every climb, every splash of water is a reflection of a bear who is thriving, physically and mentally. She is equal parts an athlete, an explorer and a problem-solver, an exceptional young bear who makes each day a joyful experience.
Jenny has brought a fresh zest of life at ABRF with her childhood mischief that we absolutely love. Donate today and help Wildlife SOS continue caring for sloth bears like Jenny.
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