Duli and Atsu are finally living wild and free in India’s forests

Preparing for life in the wild

In August 2025, Duli and Atsu were moved to Dehing Patkai National Park in Assam, India, for the next stage of their rehabilitation journey. Known for its dense rainforest and extraordinary biodiversity, the protected forest offered the ideal environment for the bears to begin adapting to life beyond human care.

There, the team carefully guided them through a soft release process designed to give orphaned cubs the best possible chance of survival in the wild. The bears gradually became familiar with their natural habitat while fitted with radio collars to help the team monitor their movements and wellbeing after release.

In the early stages, Duli and Atsu regularly returned to their temporary enclosure for supplementary food and a safe place to rest. This gradual transition is a critical part of successful bear rehabilitation, allowing rescued cubs to build confidence and independence at their own pace.

But over time, something remarkable happened. By February 2026, the pair had stopped returning altogether. No longer dependent on human support, Duli and Atsu had fully transitioned to life in the wild.

Capturing proof of a wild future

Since their release, monitoring teams have continued tracking the bears across the forest landscape. In recent months, camera traps have captured encouraging glimpses of both bears thriving in their natural environment, moving freely through the forest and behaving exactly as wild bears should.

For the people who helped raise, care for, and protect them, these sightings represent the ultimate goal of wildlife rehabilitation-not simply rescuing animals, but giving them the chance to reclaim their place in the wild.

Every successful release also contributes to the long-term future of Asiatic black bears, a species facing growing threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching across parts of Asia.