All was well for a few days. To get Kohima, the male Himalayan bear at the city zoo, acclimatised to his enclosure, he was released out into the open for a couple of hours every day, to be brought back inside after lunch.
But like any other young one, Kohima too has a petulant side to him. Since Monday, when he was released in the morning, he has been hugging the treetops, refusing to come down and even forgoing food and water.
Monday morning was when Kohima had some watermelon and went up the trees. He did not come down for lunch, nor drink any water. All attempts to tempt him with fruits and honey failed. “He had been climbing higher and higher over the past few days, but on Monday, he refused to come down,” says zoo veterinarian Jacob Alexander.
It was no different on Tuesday, leaving the zoo authorities on tenterhooks.
Watermelon treat
After the comforts of the animal house, without food and water, by Wednesday afternoon, he was panting. Taking a calculated risk, Dr. Alexander entered the enclosure with watermelon slathered with honey, and moved away after placing it. Soon, the bear was on terra firma, eating the fruit.
But as it neared the animal house, Dr. Alexander was warned by the keepers against staying put in the enclosure, and he stepped out. Kohima went back up the tree.
Triggering anguish
“He is very young and it would have been fine if he drank some water, especially in this heat,” Dr. Alexander said.
On Thursday afternoon, two keepers — Sabeer and Sajan — entered the enclosure with rice, boiled eggs, and honey. Kohima was given pieces of watermelon, which he made a grab for.
Once the keepers were reasonably sure that they would not be attacked, they put the rice and honey in a small basin and extended it to the bear, which he grabbed and licked clean. He drank some water too.
“We were wondering if the Fire and Rescue Services would have to be summoned. We could not dart Kohima as he was very dehydrated. And there was the danger of him nodding off after darting, and falling down from a height,” he said. Of course, with Kohima back up the tree, the zoo authorities have their work cut out. “The immediate issue was its life and health, but that problem has been solved. Next is gaining its trust,” Dr. Alexander said.
Entry of Dimapur
The zoo authorities also plan to release the female bear, Dimapur, into the enclosure to see if it will bring Kohima down. “They haven’t been put together in the same enclosure yet. But without Kohima around, she is also a bit agitated.”
