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http://Balu

Rescued Bears

Bears at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary

There are eight species of bears on our planet: giant pandas, spectacled bears, sloth bears, sun bears, Asian black bears, American black bears, polar bears and brown bears. Here at the Sanctuary, we’re home to two European brown bears called Benji and Balu. European brown bears, also known as Eurasian brown bears, are a subspecies of brown bear found across Europe and Asia. While European brown bears are listed as ‘least concern’ by the IUCN, they face threats from hunting, habitat loss and conflict with humans.

Thanks to an incredible community effort, the Wildheart team were able to offer former ‘restaurant bears’ Benji and Balu a forever home, relocating them from a temporary shelter in Azerbaijan to our Sanctuary on the Isle of Wight in June 2025. Read more about their story on our Project Bears webpage!

See us on our live webcams!

Benji

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Species: European Brown Bear

Benji and his brother Balu spent the first part of their lives confined to a tiny cage as ‘restaurant bears’ in Azerbaijan. Since arriving at our Sanctuary, the brothers have settled in wonderfully – and already their unique personalities are starting to show! Benji is the more adventurous of the two brothers, and is always the first to try something new. When standing on their hind legs, Benji is the taller bear, with darker fur and a longer snout.

Balu

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Species: European Brown Bear

Balu is the smaller of the two brothers, with blonder fur and a shorter snout. He is a more cautious bear than Benji, but that doesn’t stop him from enjoying playtime in the pond or a chase around the woodland! Although Balu and Benji had a very difficult start to life, they have finally been given the opportunity to become ‘bears’ again since arriving at our Sanctuary, and we can’t wait to see the fun the brothers get up to in the days to come!