Odum
About Odum
Odum was rescued in 2009 from a Kalandar family in Bellari, Karnataka. As a young cub, Odum faced inhuman brutality when he was captured from the wild and trained to become a ‘dancing’ bear. Around the same time of his rescue, Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, who was filming in India, visited the centre, and it was she who named him Odum.
He is now a cheerful and active bear who spends his day digging up mud pits and foraging for ants and termites near the forested part of his enclosure. Odum is a senior bear and requires specialised geriatric care as compared to other younger bears. This includes dental check-ups, health supplements, and multivitamins.
Adopt Odum today to receive regular exclusive updates on his recovery.
Odum's Story
As a young cub, Odum faced inhuman brutality when he was captured from the wild and trained to become a ‘dancing’ bear. A hot iron needle was punctured through his delicate nose, and a rope was tied to the raw wound. The constant tugging of the rope caused immense pain and forced him to stand up on his hind legs, which was grossly misinterpreted as dancing. He was confined to this cruel life, where he was starved and abused.
During his life as a dancing bear, Odum was poorly cared for and malnourished leading to stunted growth and an abnormal gait. In 2009 Odum was rescued as we, along with our partners Wildlife SOS and Free The Bears, put an end to the archaic practice of dancing bears. Simultaneously Odum’s owners who belonged to the Kalandar community, were also given alternative forms of livelihood.
During her time in India filming ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, Julia Roberts visited the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre. While on a guided tour, she encountered one of our recently rescued bears and learned about his tragic past. In a touching and heartwarming gesture, the actress affectionately named the bear “Odum,” a name that harks back to her family heritage.
Odum is like a different individual today due to the care and high-quality treatment provided by the dedicated team of vets and caregivers. He is now a cheerful and active bear who does not prefer sitting still in one place for a long time. He usually spends his day digging up mud pits and foraging for ants and termites near the forested part of his enclosure. Given his inclination for sweet food, it’s no surprise that his favourite treats are honey and peanut butter. Odum thoroughly enjoys his hot porridge meals when mixed with honey. His fondness for peanut butter is evident when he plays with his enrichments only if they are coated with it.
Given his altered growth, the caregivers are sensible enough to prepare the enrichments at a height that suits him, including a miniature jungle gym.
Odum is a senior bear and requires specialised geriatric care as compared to other younger bears. This includes dental check-ups, health supplements, and multivitamins. The caregivers usually add the supplements to his porridge, following which a platter of fruits like coconut and watermelon awaits him. For a wholesome and nutritious diet, he is also given milk, soya, and eggs that provide him with the necessary proteins.
Adoption Pack
Adopt Odum today and you will receive:
- A personalised certificate in recognition of your adoption
- A high quality picture of Odum to frame
- An animal fact sheet with information on Odum and sloth bears as a whole
- Exclusive news, photos and videos of your adopted animal sent via email and available online
- A soft plush bear toy (optional)
