From Russian cages to Irish sanctuary: The five-year rescue journey of Bu and Tyapa

After years in cramped cages, two brown bears are adjusting to their new life following a remarkable rescue mission that spanned multiple countries, was disrupted by two major conflicts and involved more than 100 people.

For Bu and Tyapa, the five-year rescue journey from the Republic of Dagestan in Russia to the Irish countryside was anything but straightforward.

One bear had spent their life forced to perform in a circus, while the other was confined to a cage so small they could not stand upright.

Today, the bears are now adjusting to a totally different world among the trees and grass at Wild Ireland, a sanctuary for rescued animals in County Donegal.

Wild Ireland founder Killian McLaughlin first learned about Bu and Tyapa in 2021 and committed to bringing them to safety in Donegal.

The sanctuary, located in Burnfoot, opened in October 2019 and provides a safe space for animals, including brown bears, monkeys, wolves, and lynx.

McLaughlin said the two bears were in extremely poor health when they were first rescued.

Former circus bear Bu had spent years confined to a small indoor cage after being forced to perform.

Kaynak: BBC News World RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)