By Carole Dennett
Two European brown bears, rescued from captivity in Azerbaijan, are set to move into their permanent enclosure at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown tomorrow (Friday).
Benji and Balu arrived on the Island on Monday, June 2, and have spent the past two and a half weeks adjusting to their new surroundings in a temporary enclosure. Although much smaller than the home they will move into, it already offered a significant improvement over their former small cage — including space to roam, logs and rocks to climb, and a durable ball for play.
Since their arrival, the pair have been observed growing in confidence, with many people tuning in to the sanctuary’s webcams to watch them explore and settle into their new lives.
Their release into the larger enclosure tomorrow morning will offer even more enriching experiences. The bears will have access to a 9ft-deep pool, a small stream and a waterfall — allowing them to swim and play in water for the first time, mimicking the natural behaviours they would have exhibited in the wild. It will also be the first time they have ever experienced grass and foliage underfoot – until the beginning of this month they have lived on concrete for their entire lives.
They are still in protective quarantine for rabies, so viewing of the bears will be somewhat limited until that comes to an end and to avoid stressing the bears. It will be quite overwhelming for them to have access to an area of 3,500 sqm (4,186 sq yds) and to be unable to see the all the sides of their enclosures at once.
The IW Observer will be present to capture the moment the bears take their first steps into their forever home. Catch up with us on Facebook tomorrow morning (Friday) from around 9am.
Have a look around their new home HERE.