Do you remember the Great Bear Rescue in 2025? Thanks to our supporters, we were able to rescue three Syrian brown bears, Aram, Nairi and their young daughter Lola, from appalling conditions.
One year on, we’re delighted to share that the bears have successfully completed their first-ever natural hibernation in sanctuary, thanks to the expert care they received at our Armenian rescue centre in Urtsadzor.
When our colleagues at the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) first discovered Aram and Nairi they were confined to filthy cages in someone’s backyard in Yerevan, Armenia, where they had suffered years of dreadful abuse. The pair were denied even basic care and Nairi was regularly bred with by the owner to produce cubs which were sold on.
Little girl bear Lola was kept imprisoned with them and her mother, having been born in captivity. After months of recuperating from their rescue at FPWC’s wildlife rescue centre with support from International Animal Rescue, all three bears have been able to experience their first-ever proper winter rest period – a heartwarming sign they have physically recovered from their ordeal and settled into sanctuary life.
Their rescue saw FPWC and International Animal Rescue working together to secure their freedom. It was our most difficult rescue to date, taking over 12 hours, and involved securing a court-ordered confiscation, police intervention, and transport under heavy rain and darkness.
Alan Knight OBE, President of International Animal Rescue was on the ground to witness their rescue.
“This difficult rescue started when the team arrived at the property at 9 am, but the bear’s owner refused entry despite a legal order. After a prolonged standoff, they finally gained access as night fell and worked into the night to sedate and remove the bears from their appalling conditions. These bears had clearly suffered for many years, and these were some of the worst conditions I have ever seen. The stench, the filth, the sheer cruelty of locking these animals up in tiny cages.”
“To see them happy and healthy, knowing they have a future now, makes everything we went through worth it. Completing their first hibernation and exhibiting these natural behaviours is an incredible sight. We are so grateful to the FPWC team and all our donors and supporters for making this a reality.”
Donate to the bear appeal and continue your support for Aram, Nairi and Lola