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Rescued bear brothers move to new enclosure

Sarah Farmer
BBC News
Reporting fromIsle of Wight
BBC A bear in an enclosure with a waterway, grass and treesBBC
Benji and Balu were released into their new home earlier

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.

A bear in an enclosure with a waterway, grass and trees
The new 3,500sqm space is in-keeping with their natural environment
A bear behind a wired mesh in a wild environment.
Benji and Balu arrived at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary at Sandown on 4 June

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.

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Benji and Balu can now enjoy their new enclosure

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