Culture

Odum the bear named by Julia Roberts gets relief from pain after tooth extraction in Bengaluru

Thanks to his caregivers, Odum, a 22-year-old male sloth bear has finally got relief from his toothache as a broken incisor was extracted to provide him immediate relief. The bear, named by well-known Hollywood actress, Julia Roberts, is an inmate of the Wildlife SOS Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre located in Bengaluru, Karnataka run jointly by the NGO and the State Forest Department.

Odum, who is a playful and active animal showed signs of discomfort as the staff observed that he was eating less and had become inactive. He was immediately examined by the veterinary doctors who conducted an X-ray examination revealing that the bear’s lower incisor was broken, causing him immense pain and discomfort.

They immediately extracted the tooth and kept him on prescribed painkillers for 5 days as part of postoperative care. He was provided with a semi-liquid diet of porridge for a few days after which he was back to a normal diet of porridge, eggs, fruits and dates.

Odum was sedated and his broken incisor was extracted by the vets

Talking about this case, Dr Arun A. Sha, Director- Research & Veterinary Operations, Wildlife SOS said: “As oral health is a reflection of body health, any decline in dental care can lead to fluctuations in dietary habits and social behaviours. Bacterial infections and permanent canine teeth damage are negative outcomes of declining oral health. It is reassuring to see that our efforts are making a positive difference in the lives of these bears.”

A victim of the dancing bear trade, he was rescued in 2009 from a village in Karnataka. He had stunted growth due to malnourishment and poor care as a cub. Shooting for her film “Eat, Pray, Love” in India, actress Roberts who visited the Centre named him Odum.

The broken incisor

Dancing bears are subjected to the painful trauma of having their delicate muzzle pierced by hot iron pokers and their teeth forcibly removed. As the injuries are not treated, they suffer from dental infections, rotting teeth, painful abscesses and mouth ulcerations, and foul breath.

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

VINBAX 2024: Vietnam-India bilateral army exercise concludes at Kaushalya Dam

The fifth edition of the historic Indo-Vietnam Joint Field Training Exercise, VINBAX-2024, successfully concluded its…

16 hours ago

India-Russia strengthen defence ties at 22nd Working Group meeting on military technical cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Military technical cooperation and defence industry…

16 hours ago

“I want to have strong representation of India at World Nuclear Exhibition 2025”: Sylvie Bermann

Sylvie Bermann, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition expressed confidence in India's nuclear supply chain…

18 hours ago

PoJK: Joint Awami Action Committee protests against government following new ordinance, many injured

Joint Awami Action Committee core member Shaukat Nawaz Mir has condemned the attack of police…

18 hours ago

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

20 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

20 hours ago