The vast and
enriching curriculum in Montessori sustains learning and overall development of
a child. As the children are exposed to various species of bears in the world
in their Montessori curriculum, there couldn’t be a better place than the
Bannerghatta bear rescue centre for the children to visit and have an
incredible experience so closely with the sloth
bears.
A group of 21
children and 15 adults made a day trip to the Bannerghatta bear rescue centre.
On reaching there, we were taken on a tour in batches. We got a brief overview
of the various programs and facilities they have.
The Bannerghatta Bear
rescue centre houses around 80 sloth bears that have been rescued from the
“dancing bear” trade, poaching and zoos. The elementary children had a
wonderful opportunity to visit and have a peek into the extraordinary
dedication and compassion with which the rescue centre has managed to create a
beautiful abode for the sloth bears.
There is a recreational area where the bears have
ample space to socialize, bond, play and rest. They have hammocks, water pools,
climbing frames and dens. They have a well equipped clinic with surgical
facilities, a pharmacy, a laboratory, an office that has a detailed record of
every single bear and of course, eminent veterinary doctors. They have a bear
kitchen that begins to operate from 5:30 a.m. where three nourishing fresh
meals are cooked every day.
They emphasize on
using bio fuels for cooking and the necessity to include various nutrients in
the meals which will help the deprived bears to recuperate. A routine has
been established in a day where the bears are fed thrice a day at specific timings
and then let out free into the reserve or kept under observation in the
recreational areas.
In the afternoon, the
staff drive into the reserve with goodies like fruits, berries and honey
and place them at different places for the bears to find, which is more so a
fun activity for the bears .The sound of the vehicle is a signal to the bears
to come and get their treat. The sight of the many bears responding to a signal
and coming out and getting their treat was absolutely amazing.
From this visit, the
children could observe closely the physical attributes like the size, the
colour, coat, claws, the teeth, the ‘V’ shaped mark on the chest etc, their
habitat, food and diet. There was awareness created regarding the trauma bears
undergo mentally and physically, problems of malnutrition, gum infections,
muzzle wounds and diseases like tuberculosis. This visit created a sense of
empathy among children towards animals. This makes one realize how sensitive
and responsive an animal can be, how important natural habitat, freedom and
socialization is for animals, how captivity for our vested interests can hamper
their well being. Last but not the least; the children get to see how animals
enjoy a natural and conducive environment as much as we human beings do!
