Latest news with #MinistryofEcology
BBC News
25-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Isle of Wight bear brothers damage new rescue sanctuary
Two brown bears, saved from a cage in Azerbaijan and released into a reserve, have damaged part of the their new rescue Benji and Balu were released into the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary on the Isle of Wight on 4 June."The bears with their notoriously curious nature managed to dig a hole into these blocks and then proceeded to start sprinkling the polystyrene contents around their enclosure."; said the CEO Lawrence Bates The pair have been moved into a smaller enclosure while the concrete, used to repair the hole, dries out. Recycled and sustainable material was used to make the bear platform and the connected ramp in the bears new sanctuary told the BBC, the local marina donated concrete boat floats to build the Bates said; "We have had to close them into their small enclosure whilst we repair the bricks with concrete today with the hope that it will dry soon and we plan to have them back enjoying their enclosure again by Thursday this week!! Naughty bears!" About two years ago, the bears were relocated by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources to temporary shelter. A restaurant in Azerbaijan had kept them in a cage to attract customers. In 2024, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary started a fundraising campaign to pay for the bears transport and brand new home. Nearly £218,000 was raised. Their space measures 3,500sqm (11,483 sqft) is in-keeping with their natural their release, they were kept in a holding pen while they got used to their new environment. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
21-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Rescued bears settling into new home in Isle of Wight sanctuary
A wildlife sanctuary has said "words cannot quite describe" the scenes as two brown bear brothers rescued from a cage near a restaurant in Azerbaijan settled into their new home on the Isle of and Balu arrived at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown on 4 June and were released into their new enclosure on donations went towards the almost £218,000 raised for their transport and the brand new space for the upstairs viewing area, closed while the bears acclimatise, is expected to open next week if the brothers are deemed ready for visitors. A downstairs viewing area is expected to open next month. The bears were kept in a holding pen while they got used to their new life on the island but have now been released into the new 3,500sqm (11,483 sqft) space in-keeping with their natural environment. The sanctuary said: "A few tentative steps turned to utter joy and delight."Years of significant challenges, incredibly hard work and a massive amount of fundraising all suddenly became worth it for this one moment of pure joy."Tears all round... thank you to every single person that has played a role in this rescue - this is why we do what we do." About two years ago, the bears were relocated by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan from a restaurant, where they had been kept to attract customers, to a temporary Animal Sanctuary started fundraising to rehome the bears having become aware of their situation in May 2024. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rescued bear brothers move to new enclosure
Two brown bear brothers rescued from a cage near a restaurant in Azerbaijan and brought to the Isle of Wight have finally got to explore their new home. Benji and Balu arrived at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown on 4 June. Public donations went towards the almost £218,000 raised for their transport and a brand new enclosure for the pair. The brothers have been kept in a holding pen while they settled on the island but were released on Friday into a new 3,500sqm space in-keeping with their natural environment. About two years ago, they were relocated by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan from a restaurant, where they had been kept to attract customers, to a temporary shelter. Wildheart Animal Sanctuary started fundraising to rehome the bears having become aware of their situation in May 2024. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Bear brothers kept in cage arrive at sanctuary Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
BBC News
20-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Rescued bear brothers prepare for new Isle of Wight enclosure
Two brown bear brothers rescued from a cage near a restaurant in Azerbaijan and brought to the Isle of Wight will finally get to explore their new home and Balu arrived at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown on 4 donations went towards the almost £218,000 raised for their transport and a brand new enclosure for the brothers have been kept in a holding pen while they settled on the island but will be released on Friday into a new 3,500-sq-m space in keeping with their natural environment. About two years ago, they were relocated by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan from a restaurant, where they had been kept to attract customers, to a temporary Animal Sanctuary started fundraising to rehome the bears having become aware of their situation in May 2024. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
04-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bears kept in cage in Azerbaijan arrive at Isle of Wight sanctuary
Two brown bears previously kept in cage near a restaurant in Azerbaijan have arrived at their new home - an animal sanctuary on the Isle of being flown almost 3,000 miles to Glasgow, Benji and Balu travelled to Portsmouth before crossing the Solent to the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary at Sandown on the island's south-east sanctuary fundraised almost £218,000 over a year to build a new home and pay for travel costs to rehome the bears, who arrived on the island late on Wednesday morning, were "keen to explore their new surroundings", the sanctuary said. But it added the pair would remain out of public view in their new surroundings while they settled in. The sanctuary said their new enclosure with "grass, trees, ponds and dens for be a massive departure from the life the two brothers have endured previously"."We will provide them with bespoke care plans to ensure that they recover from the trauma they have experienced, with a forever home that will allow them to be bears again," they were moved by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan from the restaurant where they were kept to attract customers about two years ago to a temporary shelter. The sanctuary said: "We will provide them with bespoke care plans to ensure that they recover from the trauma they have experienced, with a forever home that will allow them to be bears again."Wildheart Animal Sanctuary started fundraising to rehome the bears having become aware of their plight in May 2024. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
