Bear receives first prosthetic paw in Wildlife SOS care
A rescued sloth bear named Vasi became the first bear to receive a custom prosthetic limb at Wildlife SOS in India.
In 2019, a wire snare trap caught the left hind paw of a young bear named Vasikaran who was later rescued by the nonprofit group. Local veterinarians determined the injury was too severe to save and performed a necessary amputation on the animal.
Animal orthotist Derrick Campana then created a special device for Vasi after hearing about the difficult situation involving the injured bear. This unique prosthetic allowed the animal to stand comfortably on the floor for the first time in many years.
Nikki Sharp, the executive director of Wildlife SOS USA, described the success of the prosthetic fitting as absolutely remarkable for the animal. She noted that the bear accepted the new limb and could finally place his leg on the floor without pain.
Wildlife SOS manages four main sloth bear sanctuaries in India to help animals rescued from poaching or dancing bear trades. The Agra Bear Rescue Facility is the largest rescue center in the world dedicated specifically to caring for these bears.