This abandoned sloth cub has the bear necessities of life…thanks to the good samaritans that gave him a second chance.

Little Jim was found frightened, weak and alone inside a cramped culvert beneath a busy road in Madhya Pradesh, India. 

When he was hauled out of the dark by rescuers the petrified cub had the odds stacked against him. 

Sloth bear cubs are born blind, with an average birth weight of about 14 ounces (400 grams). 

At Jim’s age they should weigh between 1 and 3 pounds (0.45 to 1.36 kilograms) and would start to hitch rides on their mother's back.

Miraculously he was found and taken to Van Vihar Bear Rescue Facility which is run thanks to donations from Wildlife SOS and International Animal Rescue [IAR].

Jim is now being nursed back to health with a special daily diet of milk formula, finger millet, porridge, and watermelon juice...and just look at him now.

A spokesman at the centre said: “He was weak, frightened and vulnerable but now loves to run around and enjoys rolling on the ground. He is teething and loves biting and chewing everything he gets to lay his tiny paws on."

Sloth bears are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and face a high risk of extinction in the wild. 

They are poached for their body parts, which are used in traditional medicine, and are sometimes captured for use in performances like dancing bear shows.

Sussex-based IAR's mission is to rescue animals in need, provide lifelong sanctuary for those unable to return to the wild, and restore habitats for endangered species. It operates rescue and rehabilitation programmes in Costa Rica, India, Armenia and Indonesia.

President Alan Knight said: "None of this would be possible without our loyal supporters. Their generosity allows us to respond to emergencies and plan for the long-term protection of vulnerable species. We can never thank them enough. Together, we're building a future where humans and animals can coexist harmoniously.

“It’s about giving hope to all wildlife and we remain committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rewilding incredible animals, ensuring they have a future where they can thrive."

* To find out more about the work of the charity visit internationalanimalrescue.org