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Daily Read: Wildlife

First Bear Gets Prosthetic Paw, Reaches New Mobility

In September 2025, a sloth bear named Vasi became the world’s first bear to receive a prosthetic paw after a wire snare left his hind leg amputated. The nonprofit Wildlife SOS rescued Vasi in 2019 and, after vets confirmed the paw was beyond repair, arranged for the amputation. Animal orthotist Derrick Campana, known as the “Wizard of Paws,” designed and fitted a custom prosthetic that Vasi accepted and began walking comfortably again. Wildlife SOS, which runs four sloth bear sanctuaries in India, highlighted the project as a milestone in the organization’s long‑term care mission. The agency also noted that sloth bears in India and Nepal are listed as vulnerable and face threats from habitat loss, poaching and the illegal dancing‑bear trade. Campana’s work follows years of global efforts to provide prosthetics for animals, from horses to birds, and showcases the potential for veterinary technology to improve wildlife welfare. Wildlife SOS stresses the importance of community outreach, vocational training and education to prevent future conflicts and ensure the species’ survival. By sharing Vasi’s story, the organization hopes to raise awareness and inspire further conservation action for sloth bears across South Asia.

· Good Good Good

The essential points

  1. 01Vasi, a rescued sloth bear, became the first bear worldwide to walk with a prosthetic paw in September 2025.
  2. 02The prosthetic, crafted by orthotist Derrick Campana, was fitted after Vasi’s left hind leg was amputated due to a wire snare injury.
  3. 03Wildlife SOS operates India’s largest sloth bear sanctuary in Agra and provides lifelong care for bears injured by snares, electrocution or poaching.
  4. 04The organization’s broader mission includes ending the illegal dancing‑bear trade, offering vocational training, and protecting sloth bear habitats across South Asia.
The full brief

In September 2025, a sloth bear named Vasi became the world’s first bear to receive a prosthetic paw after a wire snare left his hind leg amputated. The nonprofit Wildlife SOS rescued Vasi in 2019 and, after vets confirmed the paw was beyond repair, arranged for the amputation. Animal orthotist Derrick Campana, known as the “Wizard of Paws,” designed and fitted a custom prosthetic that Vasi accepted and began walking comfortably again.

Wildlife SOS, which runs four sloth bear sanctuaries in India, highlighted the project as a milestone in the organization’s long‑term care mission. The agency also noted that sloth bears in India and Nepal are listed as vulnerable and face threats from habitat loss, poaching and the illegal dancing‑bear trade. Campana’s work follows years of global efforts to provide prosthetics for animals, from horses to birds, and showcases the potential for veterinary technology to improve wildlife welfare.

Wildlife SOS stresses the importance of community outreach, vocational training and education to prevent future conflicts and ensure the species’ survival. By sharing Vasi’s story, the organization hopes to raise awareness and inspire further conservation action for sloth bears across South Asia.