Archive · 28 Aug 2026
British Dentist Helps Rescued Wildlife in India and Beyond
Paul Cassar is a dentist from Britain who usually treats people in Chichester.
In 2000, he learned that rescued bears in India had badly damaged teeth.
He decided to use his dental skills to help animals.
His first patient was a bear named Anthony, who had a large gum tumour.
During the operation, Anthony stopped breathing and had no detectable pulse.
Cassar and the veterinary team performed emergency treatment, and Anthony began breathing again.
Anthony lived for another 10 years.
Cassar has since treated about 200 bears and several other kinds of animals.
His work helps rescued animals recover from pain and injuries caused by abuse and poaching.
Paul Cassar began treating rescued wildlife in India in 2000 after seeing photographs of an injured bear.
His first animal patient, a 14-year-old sloth bear named Anthony, survived a cardiac arrest during dental surgery.
Cassar has since performed dental procedures on about 200 bears and other animals, including tigers, lions and gorillas.
Rescued animals often suffered injuries, neglect or abuse linked to poaching and exploitation.
Cassar continues working with International Animal Rescue sanctuaries while local teams monitor the animals’ recovery.
- Who
- British dentist Paul Cassar, working with veterinary teams and International Animal Rescue.
- What
- Cassar has provided dental treatment to rescued bears and other wildlife, including animals with damaged teeth, tumours and abscesses.
- When
- His animal dentistry began in 2000 and has continued for more than two decades.
- Where
- At International Animal Rescue sanctuaries in India and in work involving rescued wildlife elsewhere.
- Why
- To relieve pain and help animals that suffered neglect, violence, poaching or exploitation.
- Dentist
- Paul Cassar has worked as a dentist in Chichester, West Sussex, for 40 years.
- Animal dentistry began
- Cassar first travelled to India for wildlife dental work in 2000.
- Bears treated
- He has performed dentistry on around 200 rescued bears.
- First animal patient
- Anthony was a 14-year-old Indian sloth bear weighing about 180kg.
- Emergency surgery
- Anthony stopped breathing during surgery but began breathing again after CPR and adrenaline were administered.
- Other patients
- Cassar has also treated tigers, lions, hyenas, gorillas and orangutans.
- Special case
- One bear received a gold crown and became known as Bling Bear.