Bangalore: Actress Iti Acharya, RJ Niranjan Deshpande, and actress Tejaswini Bhattaru joined hands in support of wildlife conservation as they visited the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre inside the Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore, a haven for rescued sloth bears. The visits, that took place over the course of a few months this year, were marked by unique activities and contributions that added a touch of awareness to the ongoing efforts at the rescue centre to help bears under rescued care.
Iti Acharya, a versatile south Indian actress and producer, showing her dedication to the cause, participated in celebrating sloth bear Millie’s rescue anniversary. The team at the rescue centre collaborated with Iti to create a unique structure using bamboo logs, forming the roman numeral III. Stuffed dates were placed inside, and the structure was coated with peanut butter. This inventive treat was then hung on the top branches of a tree, providing an engaging enrichment for Millie, who climbed to reach the delicious surprise.
RJ Niranjan Deshpande visited the sanctuary to commemorate sloth bear Swathi’s rescue anniversary. Together with his wife, he dedicated time to create a delectable fruit platter cake as a gesture of celebration and support for the rescued bears. The lovingly crafted cake showcased their commitment to the cause and added a sweet note to the special occasion.
Actress Tejaswini Bhattaru, inspired by her visit, took the opportunity to encourage more people to volunteer at the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre. In her heartfelt testimonial, she emphasised the transformative power of awareness and how positive change can be achieved through active participation. Tejaswini’s advocacy serves as a beacon for individuals to contribute to the welfare of sloth bears and wildlife conservation.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder & CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, “We are truly grateful to have personalities like Iti Acharya, Niranjan Deshpande, and Tejaswini Bhattaru visit our facility. Their creative contributions and heartfelt advocacy amplify the importance of wildlife conservation. Through such collaborations, we aim to raise awareness and foster a community dedicated to protecting and caring for these magnificent animals.”
Sandhi Priya, Deputy Director- Corporate & Philanthropic Partnership, Wildlife SOS, said, “These visits showcase the scope of famous personalities using their reach to spread awareness about sloth bears and their conservation. They have not learnt about the harsh reality of these bears, but have also seen how they have recovered and healed from past abusive lives.”
Wildlife SOS has been at the forefront of saving and providing care for over 600 sloth bears. BBRC, jointly operating with 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.