In October, Bears in Mind received an urgent call about two bears that needed to be evacuated immediately. The two bears, named Dina & Potapych, were housed in private zoo in Bilyts’ke about 20km from the active war front in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. With the significant Russian threat advancing in the area, precautionary measures had already begun in August to evacuate nearly 40 animals from the zoo. However, the most dangerous and difficult animals to transport—two bears, two tigers, two lions, and some monkeys—were left behind until the last moment. In mid-September, the zoo was struck by missiles, and in October again missiles struck near the zoo. The situation became very urgent, and immediate action was necessary.

Rescue mission

The rescue mission was carried out by Nataliya Popova from Wild Animal Rescue, who has been a key figure in saving animals affected by the war since the Russian invasion began in early 2022. A true heroine, she puts her own life at risk in extremely challenging and dangerous situations to bring these animals to safety. Many of them, like big cats, find refuge at her own shelter, located east of Kyiv. However, her shelter is currently at full capacity, and so is the White Rock Bear Shelter operated by Save Wild Fund, which meant she could only save the two bears if they were guaranteed a permanent sanctuary elsewhere.

The Bear Forest

We are thrilled to announce that the bears will soon find their forever home at the Bear Forest sanctuary in Ouwehands Zoo, the Netherlands! If all goes well, we plan to bring the two bears to the Netherlands in early 2025. After a quarantine period, they are expected to take their first steps in the Bear Forest in the spring, where they will finally experience life as real bears again, far away from the barren concrete enclosures they’ve only known til now.

Currently, the two future Bear Forest residents have been transferred to Ukrainian Bear Sanctuary Domazhyr from our EARS (European Alliance for Rescue Centers and Sanctuaries) partner FOUR PAWS. Here, they are safe for now and can start their recovery from their traumatic past. Over the coming months, the bears will receive thorough medical examinations, care, and proper nutrition to regain their strength for the journey to their permanent home: the Bear Forest in at Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen, the Netherlands!