Julia Roberts named this rescued sloth bear in India. New photos show his life 17 years later
Fresh photos show how a sloth bear named by Julia Roberts is living 17 years after his rescue from India's dancing bear trade.
A sloth bear once forced to dance for tourists and kept in a cage is now living a very different life, complete with pool time, muskmelon and naps in a custom hammock. The bear, Odum, was named by Julia Roberts during a visit to a sanctuary in India, and new images are putting his transformation back in the spotlight.
At 26, Odum’s daily routine is a world away from the one that first brought attention to him. Staff say the sloth bear now spends calm days at the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre in India, where he might be eating a ripe muskmelon, taking a splash in his pool or having a doze in a hammock made especially for him.
His story also carries an unexpected Hollywood link. Julia Roberts was in India filming Eat, Pray, Love in 2009 when Odum was rescued from people who made him dance for tourists and kept him in a cage the rest of the time. During a visit to the sanctuary 17 years ago, Roberts gave him the name Odum, which is believed to be an old family name.
Why his latest photos are getting attention
International Animal Rescue has released new pictures of Odum ahead of World Sloth Bear Day on October 12. The aim is not only to show how much he has changed, but to underline the long-term commitment behind every rescue.
Alan Knight, president of International Animal Rescue, said Odum’s story shows the kind of outcome rescue work can achieve. He also said responsibility does not end once an animal reaches safety. As Odum gets older, he still needs the same patience, kindness and specialised care that helped him recover.
Odum now lives at the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre, a Wildlife SOS rescue centre in India. Seventeen years after being pulled from abuse, the latest glimpse of his life is striking for a simple reason. It shows that rescue is not just about survival, but about what can happen after years of steady care.
What sloth bears are like
Sloth bears are a bear species native to parts of South Asia. They look shaggy and loose skinned, with long claws, mobile lips and a pale chest marking that often stands out against dark fur. Despite the name, they are not closely related to sloths. The name came from early confusion about their long claws and unusual way of moving.
They are built for digging and vacuuming up food. In the wild they often feed on termites, ants, fruit, honey and other easy to reach foods. Their claws help them break into insect nests and rotten wood, and their lips help them suck insects out. That means their daily needs are very different from those of big cats or pet animals. They need space, shade, places to forage, and chances to use their nose and claws naturally.
Why rescued bears need long term care
Many rescued wild bears cannot simply be released. Animals that have been injured, kept by people, or deprived of normal early development may struggle to find food, avoid danger or behave naturally in the wild. Some also arrive with damaged teeth, poor nutrition, infections or stress related behaviour.
Good sanctuaries focus on recovery rather than display. Keepers usually reduce direct contact, provide safe enclosures, veterinary care and enrichment, and let bears choose when to rest, climb, dig, bathe or explore. Enrichment can be simple but important: hidden food, scent trails, logs to tear apart and pools to cool off in. Over time, many rescued bears become more relaxed and show more natural behaviour, even if they will always need human support.
How to help wildlife responsibly
If you want to support rescued wildlife, look for sanctuaries that put animal welfare first. A strong sign is that they do not breed animals for entertainment, do not offer close contact for visitors, and explain clearly how care, housing and veterinary treatment work.
You can also help by avoiding tourist attractions that use wild animals as props, skipping selfies or performances involving bears or other wildlife, and not buying products made from wild animal parts. For donations, choose groups that are transparent about animal care and habitat protection. Even sharing accurate information matters. The most useful support usually protects both individual animals and the places wild populations need to survive.
