The Saddest Bear: British Media Highlights Blind Bear Kept in Captivity for 30 Years

The British Metro news outlet has drawn attention to the story of a bear in Armenia that has been kept in inappropriate conditions for 30 years. The bear, named 'Nelson,' has reportedly been in a cage for three decades and is believed to be blind.

Animal protection organizations have stated that the man holding the bear insists he loves Nelson and refuses to relinquish him. Local residents have indicated that the bear often goes without food for days at a time.

The International Animal Rescue organization has called this case one of the saddest instances of animal cruelty. It urges the Armenian government to intervene and compel the owner to give up Nelson. The organization has described the conditions in which the bear is kept as horrific, stating, 'Nelson is one of the saddest bears we have ever seen. He has spent 30 long years in this dreadful cage.'

The organization has promised to take action to rescue and care for the bear. Executive Director Alan Knight added that Nelson has suffered by being locked in a small cage for his entire life and has broken his teeth grinding against the bars.

The media outlet reports that the organization's partner in Armenia, the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values, is increasingly concerned about Nelson's situation. Founder and Director Ruben Khachatryan emphasized the urgent need for government action to save the elderly bear so that he can spend the rest of his years under the foundation's care.

'Shame on the person who has kept an animal in this condition for 30 years. He must be the saddest bear in the world, living for so long in pain and darkness,' he said, expressing confidence that the government would not turn a blind eye if they were aware of the situation.

In 2017, the International Animal Rescue and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values initiated the 'Great Bear Rescue Operation' to attempt to save all bears held in cages in Armenia. So far, they have rescued 30 bears but believe that at least 50 more are in need of help.