Bears About the House Season 1 Episode 2 Episode 2
- November 30, 2021
Bears About the House is an edge-of-the-seat wildlife series, in which presenter Giles Clark helps care for two young sun bears saved from poachers, before ultimately releasing them back into the wild.
In episode 2, we see Giles and the two sun bears, little Keluang and orphaned orphan Chico, settling down into their new surroundings at the rehabilitation centre. Under Giles’ watchful eye, Keluang and Chico are adjusting to their new life in captivity, as they get used to their new environment and the special diets prepared by the dedicated caregivers.
In this episode, we learn more about sun bears, and how little is known about their ecology, distribution, and population status, making the rehabilitation of rescued animals a vital part of conservation efforts. Giles takes the opportunity to talk to the centre’s staff and local experts about the challenges that sun bears face today, and how everyone can put measures in place to protect these endangered creatures.
Meanwhile, Keluang and Chico are making great progress under the watchful eye of Giles and his team. They are eating well, playing, and starting to develop the behaviors that they would need in the wild. Giles introduces them to enrichment techniques like digging holes and hiding treats, to stimulate their natural foraging behavior and ensure that they will be well-equipped to survive in the wild.
As the weeks go by, the young bears continue to flourish at the centre, but thoughts of their eventual release are never far from anyone’s minds. Giles and his team are working tirelessly to prepare Keluang and Chico for life back in the wild. Giles is confident that they are moving in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done before they can be released.
Later on, we see Giles take the bears on a test run in a large outdoor enclosure, to see how they are progressing. With an expert animal handler on hand, Giles introduces the bears to trees, water, and other natural features, to see how they will react. While there are a few hiccups along the way, Keluang and Chico seem to take everything in their stride, even practicing their climbing skills.
Throughout this episode, we see the strong bond that Giles has developed with the two young bears, as he sits and plays with them, feeds them, and comforts them when necessary. His affection for them is clear, but he also understands the importance of the work that he is doing, and the crucial role that rehabilitation centers play in the conservation of endangered animal species.
As the episode comes to a close, we see Giles leave the center, satisfied with the progress that Keluang and Chico have made, but with a sense of sadness at leaving the animals he has become so attached to. The next steps for Keluang and Chico are uncertain, but with Giles’ help, and the work of the dedicated staff at the rehabilitation center, they are on their way to a promising future.
Overall, Bears About the House season 1 episode 2 is a heartwarming episode full of insights into the fascinating world of sun bears and the challenges they face. This episode showcases the tireless work of nonprofit conservation centers and the strides being made in wildlife conservation efforts.