Bears kept in cage in Azerbaijan arrive at Isle of Wight sanctuary
Two brown bears previously kept in cage near a restaurant in Azerbaijan have arrived at their new home - an animal sanctuary on the Isle of Wight.After being flown almost 3,000 miles to Glasgow, Benji and Balu travelled to Portsmouth before crossing the Solent to the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary at Sandown on the island's south-east coast.The sanctuary fundraised almost £218,000 over a year to build a new home and pay for travel costs to rehome the brothers.The bears, who arrived on the island late on Wednesday morning, were "keen to explore their new surroundings", the sanctuary said.
But it added the pair would remain out of public view in their new surroundings while they settled in.
The sanctuary said their new enclosure with "grass, trees, ponds and dens for hibernation...will be a massive departure from the life the two brothers have endured previously"."We will provide them with bespoke care plans to ensure that they recover from the trauma they have experienced, with a forever home that will allow them to be bears again," they continued.They were moved by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan from the restaurant where they were kept to attract customers about two years ago to a temporary shelter.
The sanctuary said: "We will provide them with bespoke care plans to ensure that they recover from the trauma they have experienced, with a forever home that will allow them to be bears again."Wildheart Animal Sanctuary started fundraising to rehome the bears having become aware of their plight in May 2024.
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