By Pat Craig | Executive Director
Sometimes, all it takes for an animal to thrive is the right environment—an expansive patch of grass to graze on, a secluded den to rest in, and the freedom to explore as nature intended!
Near the end of 2024, The Wild Animal Sanctuary rescue team responded to an opportunity to rescue 18 Syrian Brown Bears from a retired animal actor and breeding facility 60 miles south of Ashville, NC. Over the course of its existence, this facility had morphed from a roadside zoo into a Hollywood animal actor supply house where pure-bred Syrian Bears could be sold to Hollywood for their one moment in the spotlight.
Training animals to be in movies and TV commercials took priority over maintaining the zoo cages, so over time, the once-functional enclosures had fallen into disrepair, and the land had become overrun with moss-covered walkways and vine-entangled viewing areas. When the threat of Hurricane Helene loomed, the facility owner realized that the bears’ future in such a degraded space was bleak.
Having heard of The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s reputation, he reached out with the hope of relocating the bears to the sprawling forests of southern Colorado. He began to imagine a future in which his Syrian Bears could roam freely in a forest of evergreen trees while feasting on salmon, grapes, watermelon and any sweet treats they could get their paws on.
The rescue operation was complex, requiring at least three large rescue trucks and more than a dozen dedicated staff members to coordinate the massive logistics. The journey took 24 hours of continuous driving, with stops along the way to check on the bears and ensure their food and water were refreshed. Upon arrival at The Wild Animal Refuge, the bears were immediately welcomed into their new 135-acre habitat—an expanse larger than 135 football fields!
With the upcoming Winter hibernation season and having previously been fed a restricted diet of dry dog food, we wanted to offer them a calorie-dense buffet to put them on the fast track to gain weight for their upcoming hibernation. In their vast, 135-acre habitat, the bears now have the freedom to explore their environment at their own pace—whether it’s climbing natural rock formations, basking in the sun, or splashing around in water tubs. The landscape offers endless possibilities for enrichment, autonomy, and joy. This is just the beginning of their new lives!
With your support, YOU make these kinds of custom habitats possible! Animal autonomy and choice are fundamental to our mission at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, and your generosity helps provide these animals with the freedom they deserve. Thank you for your compassion and continued support for our lifesaving work!
Over the past 45 years, The Wild Animal Sanctuary has perfected the art of creating specialized habitats, and we invite you to learn more about our ongoing efforts in our latest Winter 2024 newsletter: 2024 Winter Newsletter
By Pat Craig | Executive Director
By Pat Craig | Executive Director
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