This Week at Rescue TV, 6 Rescued Exotic Cats, Rangila, International Animal Rescue (IAR), Wildlife SOS, Deonar Centre, New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Foe, Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue (SYCR), World Animal Protection, Pandorah, ducklings rescued from Chelsea footballers home, Bear Rescues by FOUR PAWS

An Indian sloth bear named Rangila was smuggled into Nepal as a cub and has spent years being used as a “dancing” bear. Thankfully, after 19 years in captivity, a chance for a better life came together with a rescue operation, but, unfortunately, instead of being transferred to a place where he would receive proper care and respect, the unlucky animal and another bear, Sridevi, were dropped off at a zoo in Kathmandu. Sridevi’s life tragically came to an end at the facility which has been criticized for keeping animals in poor condition. Thankfully, Rangila escaped a similar fate and his long wait in captivity is now, at last, coming to an end. Thanks to the efforts of three charities, coordinated by Wildlife SOS, Rangila was finally rescued and is now on his way to his new home in India.

It took seven months of intense negotiations for Wildlife SOS to finally be able to get all the necessary paperwork needed to move ahead with the rescue of Rangila. Afterward, a special rescue team set out right away to get the bear and bring him to the Agra Bear Rescue Facility funded by the UK by International Animal Rescue (IAR).

Rangila has a long journey ahead of him, but the rescue team will be carefully monitoring the rescued bear’s condition all throughout the trip, as well as making frequent stops so that he can eat and rest. The animal ambulance Rangila is traveling in is accompanied by a convoy of police and support vehicles.

Rangila and his friend both displayed signs of serious trauma – they were cowering and pacing back and forth. Their teeth had been knocked out and their noses pierced with a hot iron rod, after which a rope was forced through the wound. This is done to control the bears and make them “dance.” The injuries that the animals had suffered at the hands of people were heartbreaking.

The Wildlife SOS team consists of experts who have cared for many rescued dancing bears and will do all in their power to really change Rangila’s life.

At the Bear Rescue Center in India, Rangila will receive extensive veterinary care, he will have a large forested enclosure with a pool at his disposal, a lot of trees to climb, as well as the companionship of other bears, shared Geeta Seshamani, Co-founder of Wildlife SOS.

“We are so pleased that Rangila is in safe hands now and on his way home to India,” said Alan Knight, IAR CEO. “IAR has been involved in the dancing bear rescue project since 2002 and we are proud to support the ongoing care of the hundreds of bears now living peaceful, pain-free lives in sanctuaries in India.”

Because of the most recent rescue mission, Rangila will now be one of those bears.

To learn more about Wildlife SOS and support their work, click here. All image source: Wildlife SOS

When most think of the exotic pet trade in the U.S., it’s usually reptiles, monkeys, or birds that come to mind. However, this cruel and selfish form of profiteering extends to even wildcats. Recently, in a joint effort by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), World Animal Protection and sanctuary staff seized four servals and two caracals being held at a property in Buffalo, NY. A three-year-old Savannah cat was also removed from the residence.

The wildcats ranged from ages two to six months old, and according to Alesia Soltanpanah, Executive Director at World Animal Protection, all of them were suffering from malnutrition.

After receiving medical care, the cats were transported to two different sanctuaries, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas and Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary in Nevada, where they will be permanent residents.

Servals are native to Africa and can weigh around 40 pounds and are primarily solitary, and crepuscular hunters. These incredible hunters can leap 20 feet vertically to catch birds in the air and have an incredible hunting success rate of up to 50 percent.

Caracals, on the other hand, can be found in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and India. They are the largest member of Africa’s small cats and hunt animals such as rodents, hares, hyraxes, and small antelope. Male caracals can weigh up to 40 pounds and females can weigh up to 35 pounds. 

As you can see, the exotic pet trade is alive and well in the U.S. Removing wild animals from their natural habitats and forcing them into a life of captivity is not only cruel but dangerous to the animal itself and humans. These animals possess instincts that enable them to survive in the wild, NOT within closed walls. We need to use our voices and our power to stand up for these innocent animals by spreading awareness of what actually happens behind the doors of the cruel exotic pet trade. Wildlife is already facing many hardships, from poaching, climate change, and habitat loss without selfish people further exploiting them. Thankfully, organizations like World Animal Protection are working to protect the innocent victims of this cruel trade. You can learn more about the exotic pet trade and how to help by clicking here and here. Image Source: World Animal Protection

It’s understandable when a shelter decides to euthanize a dog who is in severe pain or suffering. Sometimes putting an end to the sad life they have experienced is a move of compassion when animals are simply too tired from fighting to survive. For some animals, however, all they need is the chance to rest and allow someone else to do the fighting for them. That is exactly what Angels Among Us Pet Rescue is doing for a special girl named Pandorah.

The rescue was notified by an intake shelter that Pandorah was scheduled to be euthanized because of her extreme condition. This poor baby is covered in open sores that are infested with maggots, and she has burns from sitting in her own urine and feces for prolonged periods of time. Pandorah is also grossly emaciated with no muscle tone. Her vet believes she was kept in a confined area or kennel so small she couldn’t even move. Whatever the case may have been, she clearly has been suffering for a long time, likely, most of her life. Thankfully, rescuers have stepped in, determined to change the ending to her tragic story.

This Dog Was Kept in a Crate So Small She Has Burns From Sitting in Waste – Now Rescuers Are Teaching Her What Love Is. Krista, who is part of the rescue’s approvals team, reports that Pandorah, despite her circumstances, loves affection and even reciprocates by licking your hand when pet. In an impassioned plea for Pandorah, Krista shared on Facebook: “A human stripped her of her dignity. Stripped her of even the possibility of going to chase a squirrel for food or drink from a dirty mud puddle. She had no chance at all.  It is our duty, no, it is our HONOR to change her life. She wants to be touched and craves love. She licks your hand when you touch her. She knows there is more out there, and in typical dog fashion, she will forgive those who wronged her, and we will help her forget. ”

It’s a powerful sentiment that speaks to the unconditional love and forgiving spirit of a dog. It also signals that there is still a spark of hope, no matter how little. This sweet pup definitely knows she is being helped and is thankful for a second chance.

Thanks to Angels Among Us, another innocent life is now safe and receiving the life-saving treatment needed to go on and live a fulfilling life. Pandorah has a long way to go, but if we all find it in our hearts to contribute in some way, we can make sure she wins this fight for her life. No one should have to face this type of struggle alone, Pandorah or her caretakers. Let’s not look away but instead, take a moment to show support. To donate to Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, click here.

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Tiny ducklings rescued from Chelsea footballers home! Wildlife Aid

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Napa's journey | FOUR PAWS | www.four-paws.org FOUR PAWS International

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From Captivity to Carefree! Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue (SYCR) recently hosted its third annual fundraiser at the Explorers Club in New York City. One way that friends, allies, and advocates could support the organization was to sponsor a chimpanzee named Foe. While he is happy now, his life was a hard one, starting at a very young age. READ MORE

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This Cat's Wound Was So Severe That Even The Doctors Were Shocked. Maggot wounds are a pretty severe issue for homeless animals, as they don't have the same level of supervision as those in homes. However, a recent patient in our Deonar Centre in India shocked the team with a maggot wound so severe that the bones of his leg were exposed. READ MORE