Appeal to give rescued bear cubs a home in Devon
Wildwood Trust is hoping to raise funds to keep the pair at their park near Ottery St Mary
Last updated 3rd Dec 2024
A charity's hoping twin baby bears whose mother was forced to flee Ukraine can find a permanent home in Devon.
Wildwood Trust plans to bring the cubs to its park near Ottery St Mary and give them a permanent sanctuary.
The twins are currently taking shelter at an animal sanctuary in Belgium but keepers say it’s imperative for their welfare that they find a new home
The cubs were born after their mother was rescued from war-torn Ukraine, and Wildwood Trust, which is known for its work to rescue and rehabilitate brown bears, was called on to help find them a new home.
Mark Habben, Director of Zoo Operations at Wildwood Trust, said; “The fact these bears are alive today is nothing short of miraculous.
"Their mother was part of the mass exodus from Ukraine, transported in the back of a van to escape the shelling.
“Our friends in Belgium weren’t expecting these two vivacious cubs.
"Now, with growing appetites and a need for more space, it’s vital we give them the forever home they deserve.”
Having outgrown the space at De Zonnegloed Wild Animal Sanctuary in Belgium and unable to survive in the wild, keepers there say it’s absolutely vital the find a permanent shelter where they can thrive.
At Wildwood Devon, they will live alongside Mish and Lucy, another brother-and-sister pair, who arrived at the park in 2021 after being rescued from the Albanian mountains in 2019.
You can donate to the fundraiser on the WIldwood Trust website.