Three Syrian brown bears have been rescued from years of unimaginable suffering in a backyard in Yerevan, Armenia, and are now safe at a wildlife rescue center. The bears, named Aram, Nairi, and their daughter Lola, were confined to filthy cages and denied basic care. The rescue was made possible through the efforts of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and International Animal Rescue (IAR).
According to the FPWC, the bears were discovered during an investigation following a public tip-off. The rescue, which took over 12 hours, was described by IAR as their “most difficult rescue to date.” It involved a court-ordered confiscation, police intervention, and transport under heavy rain and darkness.
Aram, the male bear, had been held captive for 12 years and repeatedly bred with Nairi, a female taken from the wild. Their young daughter Lola was still imprisoned with them, while previous cubs had been taken and sold.
The rescue team faced a prolonged standoff with the bear’s owner, who refused entry despite a legal order. They finally gained access as night fell and worked through the night to sedate and remove the bears from their appalling conditions.
Alan Knight OBE, President of International Animal Rescue, who was present at the rescue, expressed shock at the terrible conditions the bears were living in. “These were some of the worst conditions I have ever seen,” he said. “The stench, the filth, the sheer cruelty of locking these animals up in tiny cages and feeding them cola, it was absolutely horrific.”
The bears are now receiving urgent veterinary care at FPWC’s wildlife rescue center in Urtsadzor, which is supported by IAR. Aram, in particular, is suffering from broken and infected teeth, likely caused by years of poor diet and neglect. All three bears are currently in quarantine and under close observation.
IAR is launching an urgent appeal to fund the ongoing care of the bears and to help complete a new sanctuary where they can live together safely. The cost of caring for one bear is over £7,500 per year, and with three bears, the annual care alone exceeds £22,500. This does not include the significant costs of the rescue mission and the bears’ veterinary care.
All donations to the appeal will be matched by two generous donors, doubling every pound raised. To support the urgent care and future home for these bears, please visit https://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/appeal/bearfamily.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.