Sloth bear named by Julia Roberts flourishing 17 years after rescue

A sloth bear that made headlines when it was given a name by Julia Roberts after being saved from abuse is now flourishing, according to a rescue charity.

The Hollywood star was filming Eat, Pray, Love in India in 2009 when the bear was rescued from people who forced it to dance for tourists and spend the rest of the time in a cage.

She named the bear Odum – believed to be an old family name – after visiting the animal sanctuary 17 years ago.

Ahead of World Sloth Bear Day on October 12, International Animal Rescue has released new pictures of Odum to show his transformation.

Now, at age 26, he lives at the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre in India, within the Wildlife SOS rescue centre.”Seventeen years on from his rescue, Odum’s days are calm, perhaps eating a ripe muskmelon, taking a splash in his pool or having a doze in his hammock, which has been specially made for him,” staff said.

Alan Knight, president of International Animal Rescue, said, “Odum’s story illustrates the beautiful outcome that rescue operations can achieve. Our responsibility does not cease when an animal has reached safety.

As he gets older, he will still require the same amount of patience, kindness and specialized care as was necessary to help him recover all those years ago.”