Bengaluru: Renowned female cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy visited the Wildlife SOS Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre located in the Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore. She expressed her support for the organisation’s efforts in wildlife conservation and spent a memorable day with the rescued sloth bears.
Indian cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy made her international cricket debut at the age of 18 by scoring a half-century against England Women at Derby in 2011. Veda, along with her friends, recently spent a day at Wildlife SOS’ Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre, which is home to over 60 sloth bears that were rescued from the cruel ‘dancing’ bear tradition, poaching, as well as human-bear conflict situations.
Following an orientation session she was given a tour of the facility, which included a visit to the green kitchen and an observation of the eco-friendly cooking done on site for the resident bears.
During her visit, Veda participated in a unique and engaging activity specially designed for the occasion. In collaboration with the bear care staff, she created a cricket-themed food enrichment for the bears of the centre. Veda applied peanut butter and inserted dates to bamboo wooden logs resembling cricket bats and stumps, replicating the essence of the sport. Apples were used to mimic cricket balls, and watermelons were arranged in the vicinity, resembling spectator stands. The setup created a mini cricket field, which was then presented to the sloth bears for their enjoyment and stimulation.
Veda also pledged her support to the ‘Refuse To Ride’ campaign of Wildlife SOS, which aims to end riding elephants for tourism and entertainment purposes.
Commenting on her experience, Veda Krishnamurthy said, “Visiting BBRC was an unforgettable experience surrounded by bears and the dedicated staff. I gained valuable knowledge about these incredible creatures and witnessed firsthand the remarkable conservation work being carried out. I strongly encourage everyone to visit the centre and experience the profound impact Wildlife SOS is making for these bears.”
The Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, Kartick Satyanarayan said, “It is encouraging to have a prominent personality like Veda visit our centre and extend her support to our mission of protecting sloth bears. Her presence and participation in this special activity have helped us raise awareness about wildlife conservation and its significance. We sincerely appreciate her commitment to our cause.”
The Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre has been at the forefront of saving and providing care for over 600 sloth bears. Established in 2005, the centre, jointly operated by Wildlife SOS and the Karnataka Forest Department, currently houses over 60 rescued bears within the scenic environs of the dry-deciduous Bannerghatta National Park. With its size and facilities, it stands as the second-largest rescue centre for sloth bears in the world.