Two brown bears find safety in an Irish sanctuary after five years
Two brown bears have moved from Russian cages to an Irish sanctuary after a difficult five-year rescue journey involving over one hundred people.
The bears arrived at Wild Ireland in County Donegal after traveling from Moscow via Abu Dhabi to Dublin in August 2026. They were cut from rusting steel cages and put into safe transport boxes for the long flight. This operation required significant coordination to ensure their safe passage.
Wild Ireland founder Killian McLaughlin learned about the animals in 2021 and promised to bring them to safety in the Irish countryside. He said both bears were in very poor health and showed clear signs of deep psychological harm.
Russia's attack on Ukraine in February 2022 blocked the original transport route through that country. New plans failed in February 2026 when rising conflict involving Iran caused flight bans and travel interruptions across the area.
Since arriving at the sanctuary, both bears have gained weight and their coats have improved significantly. Medical checks confirmed their kidney health is back to normal after suffering from serious issues linked to long-term water shortages.