Recently, a community member was walking near their home in Bhutan’s Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary when they noticed a fluffy black animal lying in a pile of dirt.
The Good Samaritan inched closer and got a better look. The animal was an Asiatic black bear,
a medium-sized bear species native to the area, who was hopelessly trapped in a dangerous wire snare.
The resident quickly reported the bear to forestry officials. The rescue team, including forestry officer Pema Norbu, forest ranger Jaimo, driver Sonam Gyeltshen and caretaker Dorji Wangchuk, mobilized and headed straight over.
When rescuers arrived, they assessed the bear from a distance and determined that sedating him would be the safest option for all involved. Once the bear was under anesthesia, rescuers carefully removed the snare and treated the wound.
Team members were pleased to find that the bear hadn’t sustained any serious injuries. As soon as he was fully awake and mobile, they ushered him back to his home in the wild.
“[It] was a deeply rewarding moment for the entire rescue team,” Norbu told The Dodo. “Wildlife rescue operations can be challenging and unpredictable, so seeing the bear safely return to its natural habitat made all the effort worthwhile. It reinforced our commitment to conserving Bhutan’s wildlife and protecting animals in distress.”
Norbu hopes this story reminds residents how dangerous these snares can be, especially when placed indiscriminately. If people avoid using these traps, bears like this one will have a much easier time navigating their home in the wild.
“We encourage communities to report wildlife emergencies promptly and to avoid practices that can injure or kill wild animals,” he said. “Conservation is a shared responsibility, and public support is vital for protecting our remarkable biodiversity.”
