Phase one of the new bear sanctuary in Ushi, Armenia, has been officially opened by actor Steven Cree alongside our President, Alan Knight OBE, and frontline partners, The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC).
The sanctuary, when fully opened, will provide a safe haven for rescued Syrian brown bears who have suffered years of cruelty, confinement and neglect.
Some of the rescue bears have already settled into the new spacious and enriched habitats within phase one of the new sanctuary – a world away from the barren cages and concrete pits in restaurants, hotels and roadside zoos they were rescued from. Others will be moved to the new sanctuary when it is fully opened, and all the new enclosures are finished.
Among them will be, Aram, Nairi and Lola, a family of bears that was rescued after years of unimaginable suffering in a backyard in Yerevan, Armenia. Confined to filthy cages and denied even the most basic care, they had reportedly been bred for profit.
Our president, Alan Knight OBE, who was on the ground at the time of the rescue, said: “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 and feeding them cola, it was absolutely horrific.”
Currently safe in the rescue centre in Urtsadzor, the bear family are receiving specialist veterinary treatment, nutritious food and rehabilitation within large, natural enclosures designed to allow them to express natural bear behaviour for the first time in years.
In the new, larger facility, they will have even more space and enrichment to heal from their trauma in a cooler climate surrounded by mountains, perfect for bears.
Alan explains; “Soon, the rescue bears will finally have space, safety and the chance to experience life as bears should. We are working towards getting the remaining phases of the new sanctuary finished and are incredibly proud to stand alongside our partner FPWC, our supporters and everyone involved in making this sanctuary a reality for these bears. We are still working towards getting the new sanctuary completed and are fundraising to finish the remaining enclosures and are grateful for any support people can provide.”
Actor Steven Cree, patron and supporter of International Animal Rescue, said: “Seeing some of the rescued bears finally living in a more natural environment after years of suffering is incredibly moving. No wild animal should spend its life trapped in a cage for entertainment or profit.
“What International Animal Rescue and FPWC have achieved here is genuinely inspiring. This sanctuary, when completed, will give these animals the dignity, care and freedom they have been denied for so long, and I hope it encourages more people to support wildlife rescue and protection efforts around the world. But they still need more funds to complete the project and for the bears’ long-term care.”
We are so proud to have reached this major milestone alongside our partners FPWC, and to have our patron, Steven Cree, there to help us celebrate this achievement. We could not have done it without the kindness and generosity of our supporters who help to make all our work possible.
We look forward to updating you on the progress of the new centre and announcing when the next phase is complete.