VIDEO: Mkhо and Masha the Bears Escape 10-Year 'Captivity', Living a New Life

More than ten brown bears rescued from harsh conditions in various private areas of Armenia have found shelter at the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC). The animals were transferred to the rescue center as part of the Bear Rescue Program (The Great Bear Rescue), implemented in collaboration with the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values (FPWC) and the International Animal Rescue (IAR). They were brought from various locations, ranging from restaurants to a cheese factory.

In October 2019, Mkhо and Masha bears were transferred to the Wildlife Rescue Center after being kept in a cheese factory area in the city of Tashir. These two brown bears were given new names at the rescue center, professional care, necessary attention, and a new daily routine filled with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

The center's specialists treat all bears rescued under the bear rescue program with special care. By studying each bear's needs, personality traits, and physical data, our specialists create a tailored diet, employ various enrichment measures, and ensure a high mood.

FPWC reports that the video includes a segment of the bears being fed. In addition to receiving natural food, the bears are provided with enrichment tools thanks to the specialists' ingenuity, creating an environment where the bears can independently exert effort to forage for their food, during which important instinctual processes occur.

As of today, around 20 bears are still kept in captivity across various private areas in Armenia, needing professional assistance and awaiting their turn.