Bu and Tyapa, two brown bears previously held in poor conditions in the Republic of Dagestan, have begun settling into their new home at Wild Ireland, a sanctuary for rescued animals located in County Donegal. One bear had spent years performing in a circus while confined to a small indoor cage, while the other was kept in an enclosure measuring 2.5 meters by 2.5 meters by 2 meters without a roof, leaving the animal exposed to extreme weather and unable to stand upright. Both bears arrived at the sanctuary severely malnourished and showing signs of psychological trauma, with blood tests revealing serious kidney problems stemming from prolonged dehydration.
The rescue operation spanning multiple countries took five years to complete and involved more than 100 people, including volunteers, veterinarians, lawyers and officials across Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Ireland. The journey faced significant obstacles, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which forced abandonment of an original transport route through Ukrainian airspace. A subsequent plan to route the bears through the Middle East was disrupted in February 2026 when escalating conflict in the region led to airspace closures and flight cancellations. In late October 2025, rescue teams traveled to Dagestan to extract the bears from their rusting steel cages, sedate them and transport them to Tiger House, a sanctuary near St Petersburg, for initial veterinary care and quarantine.
Following months of preparation and repeated delays, the bears eventually departed from Moscow via Abu Dhabi and arrived in Ireland in August. Since arriving at Wild Ireland, which opened in October 2019, both animals have shown marked improvements in health and behavior. They have gained weight, their coats have improved noticeably, and follow-up blood tests have confirmed that kidney function has returned to normal. The sanctuary provides the bears with woodland habitats, water sources and open areas for exploration, along with sheltered spaces where they can retreat if desired.
Staff members at Wild Ireland have implemented enrichment programs designed to encourage natural behaviors, including hiding food throughout the habitats to promote foraging activities. Team members report visible increases in the bears’ confidence levels and improvements in both their physical and mental condition since their arrival. Sanctuary founder Killian McLaughlin stated that the recovery process involves reintroducing the animals to natural environments and allowing them to experience outdoor experiences they were previously denied.
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