The story so far

We have raised an incredible £216,000 to build a new habitat for Benji & Balu with the additional funds raised going to support any transportation costs (excluding flights), plus the ongoing care and rehabilitation that they will need when they arrive.

The first part of our rescue mission was to create a habitat for Benji and Balu that would stimulate and encourage all of their natural behaviours, allow them to rehabilitate from their previous traumas, and give them the opportunity to become bears again. With platforms and a boulder mountain to encourage physical exercise and provide a sense of security, ponds and a stream to enable them to enjoy the water for both mental and physical enrichment, bear caves so they can hibernate and a bear house for them to find safety, this habitat will provide Benji and Balu with everything they need! With the £150,000 we have raised since May 2024, we have been turning our vision into a reality. Our new bear habitat is set to be completed in June 2025, ready for the arrival of Benji and Balu.

The second challenging part to our rescue and fundraising campaign, was for support and funding to transport Benji and Balu to our Sanctuary from Azerbaijan, the flights have now been generously donated by Cargolux, as have the transport of the crates to Azerbaijan to collect Benji and Balu. The additional funds raised will now go to cover the ground transportation, and veterinary costs, like high-grade anaesthesia and a qualified veterinarian to supervise their travel, and then to support the ongoing care and rehabilitation of Benji and Balu here at the Sanctuary.

We also wish to acknowledge other organisations that have played a significant role in this rescue. As you can imagine, a rescue of this magnitude requires the collaboration of a number of organisations, each doing their part to secure a future for Benji and Balu. We are eternally grateful to the The charity, Bears in Mind, are working with us to manage the monumental logistics involved with moving them from Azerbaijan. Bears in Mind are also liaising with teams on the ground, such as Four Paws, who are ensuring the bears are well cared for day to day. We also wish to thank the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Recourses of Azerbaijan for their kind assistance in facilitating the transport to ensure the safe passage for Benji and Balu from Baku to the UK, and of course Cargolux without whom this rescue may not have been viable.

The welfare of animals is a global concern across governments and organisations, and issues of cruelty or neglect can be found in every country. Our role as animal welfare organisations is to provide support where possible, including fundraising, public awareness, and logistical assistance for animals in need, irrespective of geography.

A massive thank you to each and every person and organisation that is helping to make this rescue a reality!