Staff caring for two rescued brown bears say the pair are now healthy, settled and thriving after being saved from cramped conditions in Azerbaijan.
Benji and Balu arrived at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary on the Isle of Wight in June after spending years confined to a small cage. When they first explored their new enclosure, the bears were underweight and visibly weak.
Six months on, their transformation has been remarkable.
“They’ve gained a lot of weight, and when you compare them to how they looked when they arrived, it’s unbelievable,” said bear keeper Lucie Francis. “They almost look like completely different animals.”
The bears have quickly become the stars of the sanctuary, drawing crowds eager to see how far they’ve come. Their first Christmas on the island was marked with brightly coloured enrichment gifts packed with hidden treats, scattered throughout their enclosure.
Benji and Balu’s personalities have also begun to shine through.
“Benji is definitely the mischievous one,” Ms Francis said. “He’s always digging things up, breaking bits of the enclosure and keeping us busy with repairs.”
Balu, by contrast, prefers a calmer pace. “He’s much more laid-back and happy to relax in the background,” she added.
In the early weeks after their arrival, staff were unsure how the bears would cope, given their past experiences. Some trauma-related behaviour did emerge initially, but it faded quickly as they adjusted to their new surroundings.
“Once they started to feel safe and comfortable, those behaviours dropped away,” Ms Francis said. “It’s been wonderful to watch them relax and flourish.”
The two bears share a bond similar to siblings — mostly peaceful, with the occasional disagreement.
“They do have little squabbles now and then, but overall they get along really well,” she said.
Ms Francis believes the pair have won over everyone who meets them.
“They’ve completely stolen people’s hearts,” she said. “They’ve become the main attraction here — everyone wants to see Benji and Balu.”