THIS RESCUED BEAR FINDS LOVE IN A HOPELESS PLACE

 We, humans, are the most advanced species in the entire chain of living organisms. But what makes us superior to others is the emotions that we feel which we are able to share it with our loved ones and with the people around us. Now take a look around you and ignore all the human, what did you see? You will find animals roaming around with the most simple expressions on their face that only ask for our love and care. They also have emotions but the only thing that they don’t have is the capability to convey all these emotions that they go through. If you have a pet in your house then you must be aware of the unconditional love that they provide you. But why do we only love our pets and not the animals that do not belong to us? Just because they are wild and live outside your home. I agree, that not all animals can be treated in the same way we treat our pets but we should not forget that even a wild horse can be tamed with love and proper care.

There are around 50 bears that are living in small cages in Albania and are used as a tourist attraction and photo props. But with the help of the rescue organization Four Paws, they helped in the release of the first bear named Tomi from the cage where he lived for 5 years spending his days in being captive in dismissal conditions.

Today, Tomi is free and lives in a sanctuary where something amazing was waiting for him. Let’s meet Tomi, the bear who is much more special than the character Baloo from The Jungle Book.

Tomi-Story

Tomi was caged in Albania in a restaurant since he was a cub. He was used as an entertainment source for the people who visited the place. Once described as the saddest bear in the world by the International media, today, Tomi lives his life enjoying and catching apples in an open sanctuary near Lake Badvovc, 21 kilometers from Pristina. It is not just Tomi but there are other bears too who go through same exploitation and inhumanity.

Albanian Bears

At present, there are about 250 Albanian bears. This species is rapidly declining and looking at the current estimate of their population they are at the lowest. What is being done? The organization like Four Paws that work all around the globe for the protection of the animals are also in the process of saving these bears that are on verge of extinction. If that happens the world will lose one of the most beautiful species that ever lived. Yes, they are big and wild but that doesn’t give us the right to treat them the way they are being treated today.

If Tomi could only speak he would have told his heart touching story in his own words but sadly we humans think of ourselves as the greatest living species on earth. With all the cruelty that Tomi and other bears faced or facing could we really call ourselves as human? Think about it.

Evidence Tells Different Story

There is enough evidence on paper, internet, and media that the practice of dancing bears, caging and chaining them still persists in Albania. There have been reports that snatched bear cubs are also kept in the restaurants. The let it go attitude of the people are making the condition worse for the bears. Still, the magnitude of the problem is unknown.

Ignorance Is Not Always Bliss

Yes, International agreements provide protection to the brown bears and they have also put them on the red list of endangered species in Albania but everything looks good on paper. In reality, things are just the opposite. One of the biggest problems is that people are not aware of the consequences that come along with this illegal and devastating practices that include using them as an entertainment source, caging them in the restaurant, giving them beer, and walking them around in chains. They lose their identity as they become something else entirely.

Even Tomi was the victim of such cruelty but still, he did not lose hope and became the happiest bear in Europe.

How It All Began For Tomi

When Four Paws found out about the captive bears in Albania where Tomi was one of them they decided to help all the bears. After looking at the conditions of these bears they felt that the process could take longer but the organization was determined and ready to go any length to save them. They saw the way these bears were being treated.

Years of Abuse

For five years, all Tomi has experienced is the cruelty of the restaurant owner who saw him not as his pet but as a property that he owns to which he can do whatever he wants. Four Paws reached out to the restaurant owner and asked him to release Tomi. Later, when Tomi was moved to the sanctuary, Fitore Berisha, a guide in the center told,“Like no other bear in the center, Tomi has enjoyed his new home since the first day, always playing and looking content,”

Beer Bear

Four Paws highlighted the miserable conditions in which these bears were kept in. People who came to the restaurant would sit in front of the caged bears and ate their food while watching these bears who begged for the food with outstretched paws.

Once the restaurant owner decided to pay the vet to dart this beautiful bear so that people who visited his restaurant can capture Tomi who was in a tiny cage. They took videos, clicked selfies while he was unconscious and some who felt that they should give him something to eat provided him with sweets, cake, and crisps. If that was not enough for this poor bear, his owner who occasionally gave him a beer when he asked for water.
All thanks to Four Paws for saving Tomi who found that life isn’t that bad only some people are.

Where Are We Lacking?

It is true that we are causing great damage to the environment and this so-called advancement in science and way of our living is somehow affecting animals the most all over the world. What should be done? We need to work on both the effective protection and management of the population because saving them is not the only option but increasing their population should be also our priority. Countries should try having the latest access to the information about their current population so that they can chart out their future plans that can save the animals.
But looking at the information, which tells us that not enough is being done. Why is that? I have no idea.

Rescue Mission

When the story about the saddest bear in the world came out it caught several eyes and due to the of public outrage and pressure Albanian Environment Ministry took notice of the situation and decide to act with the help of Four Paws. After the rescue, Carsten Hertwig, a bear expert at the Four Paws told,”Tomi is in a very poor state. His teeth are badly damaged, and he has injuries to his upper body. It’s high time he was brought out of this horrible place.” But all the suffering are in the past now and our Tomi is ready for the new journey that was about to become even more special.

What Is Four Paws?

Four Paws organization was established in 1988, which is working on its one and only goal: to help animals who have been the victims of inhumanity. For them, animal protection, human safety, and nature conservation go hand-in-hand. Not only they provide rapid direct help to animals in distress but they also try to provide natural habitat to abused animals.

They gave Tomi the environment and place that brought back his bear nature.

New Member In Sanctuary

After all the rescue and paperwork he was shifted to the sanctuary Prishtina. Fitore Berisha, a guide in the center told,“Like no other bear in the center, Tomi has enjoyed his new home since the first day, always playing and looking content,” He received first-class veterinary care and is living the life fit for a bear. Just take a minute and look at him in the above picture that conveys so many emotions of freedom and excitement. See how relaxed he looks. Doesn’t it makes you happy?

This Habitat Suits Me

After living for almost two years in that tiny cage Tomi found his new home that was close enough to the natural habitat where he can spend the rest of his life close to nature and with his love that was missing from his life.
Carsten explained that the bear sanctuary Prishtina has a ‘large enclosure providing a habitat much closer to his natural environment, with grass, trees, and activities to keep him busy.’ Another beautiful surprise was waiting for him that was about to enter in his life.

Grass Is Really Green

Since the very first day of his arrival in the sanctuary, he is very relaxed and enjoys grass the most. Most of his time is spent on taking baths and sitting in the sun. He eats every kind of fruits, vegetables that are offered to him by the caretakers. He is the most playful and happiest bear in the sanctuary that gives these caretakers several reasons to laugh at.

The Bear Has His Habits

During summers he loves to swim in the pool and in winters when he felt the snow for the time on his body and beneath his paws, he did not run away but instead he started playing with it like a kid. It must have been a very new experience for him as he has never felt the freedom like this before. He felt something entirely amazing after this happened to him

I Am Mr.Lonely

As he was the first bear that was brought into the sanctuary where he spent many months all alone. The place Prishtina was really big for a single animal to be in and with time caretakers also felt that Tomi is in dire need of company from his own species. Doing same activities, again and again, that too for months made Tomi bored and caretakers saw that as he was not as playful as he was when he first came in the sanctuary. But his boredom will not last for long and caretakers made sure of that when they brought her.

He Found Hope

In hard times, we humans can only hope for the best so that the circumstances can change to our desired way. Our Tomi met hope in person. Just like him, Hope was also rescued by the organizations from a restaurant where she also faced the similar treatment from the owner. Her wait for a better life was about to end because she would soon meet Tomi.

When Tomi Met Hope

At first, Hope was a little shy and kept her distance from Tomi. She was even younger than him. After constant efforts from the caretakers, they finally greeted each other. Four Paws shared the image on the Facebook of their first meet and wrote this,” Our hearts are completely melted”.

Unbreakable Bond

For Hope and Tomi, who have never felt the closeness in their life before, who have always faced cruelty from their owners and then suddenly meeting someone for the first time would have been difficult but two bears who have lived all their lives alone started to connect from the very moment they met.”Tomi and Hope’s socialization started,” Four Paws shared this on the Facebook page.

“Tomi and Hope’s socialization started,” Four Paws shared this on the Facebook page, “and it was clear that they liked each other from the very first moment.”

Baby Steps…

Because Hope came later in the sanctuary after her rescue and by that time Tomi was already enjoying his life and was already familiar with the place and people. But for Hope, it was a task that she had to do it all alone. At first, Tomi approached her really slowly and caretakers were keeping an eye on them as they had no idea how Hope would react. Tomi went closer to her and sniffed and then, she did the same to him. After that, this happened!

A Date To Remember

The crew of Four Paws was worried about these two meeting and when they found how beautiful Tomi and Hope look together they were all happy and relieved. They were the saddest bears but now they are the happiest bears you could ever watch. From the very first moment, they liked each other and their first date was a perfect date. What are you doing humans?

They’re Inseparable

It doesn’t matter if its a day or night, Tomi and Hope are always found together. They do not leave each other sight for a minute. From taking bath to eating they do everything together. At night, which is warm enough they sleep together outside under the starry night close to each other.
“We can happily report that they are inseparable,” Four Paws wrote on Facebook.

Best Friends Forever

As time passed by, they became really close and their friendship became more strong. When you look at them they seemed like a couple of old friends playing, running, and rolling on the grass. The good thing is that the rescue organization Four Paws keeps on posting the updates about these two and people reaction after seeing these two together makes the effort of the organization a remarkable one.

Tomi And Hope’s Happy Ending

They are now in a beautiful place which they can call home. They are provided with the best facilities and food and all the love of which they were deprived. “Whether Tomi & Hope are swimming, sunbathing or playing, they hardly ever leave each other’s side”. Four Paws wrote this on their Twitter handle.

 All’s Well That Ends Well

They had a difficult start but now everything is good and pleasing for them. After their rescue from their cages and watching them now, all happy and in love makes us wonder that these lonely bears used to live in cages a while ago. Four Paws posted on Facebook,”Tomi and Hope are not alone anymore.” But they are not the only happy couple in the sanctuary that makes this place a living haven for everybody.

Tyson and Mashutka

Just like Tomi, Tyson was also rescued and was brought to the sanctuary Domazhyr where he lives in the natural habitat. It was later when Mashutka came to the sanctuary and after her arrival, Tyson came out from his bear house and greeted her and now they both are inseparable and are in love.

Tyson’s Journey

Tyson spent 16 years in a cage in western Ukraine, where he was brought illegally as a baiting bear. It took a while for Foor Paws to negotiate with the owner as he was not ready to free him. Finally, the wait was over and Tyson was free from all the suffering. At first, he remained in the indoor enclosure at the sanctuary but after Mashutka’s arrival, he left the indoor enclosure for the first time in an open enclosure of 1,000 m2.

“Tyson was brutally snatched away from his mother as a bear cub and brought to a hunting station. Typically, on such stations, hunting dogs are trained to attack bears in a practice known as ‘bear baiting.” said Carsten Hertwig

A Wonderful Life

Their first meeting was a memorable one for the caretakers as they have never seen Tyson coming out in the open and he came just because of Mashutka. They both liked each from the start as they relaxed and started playing in the grass. After so much suffering in their past, they both deserve all the love.

Pashuk The New Member

Before his rescue from his owner where he used to live in a dirty cage and wore a heavy chain around his neck that with time had grown into his skin because his owner put the chain when he was small and never removed the chain and only food he got was from the visitors that came in the restaurant and there were time when he only survived on the beer.

I Am So Happy All The Time

When Pashuk first arrived at the sanctuary he stayed in the indoor closure and spent most of his time sleeping there. It was not his fault as he has never seen the world further than his cage.
But now, he is not the same bear he was. He spends most of his time swimming in the pool and eats everything that is provided to him by the staff.

Gijna, The Youngest

Imagine your life where you are fed only beers instead of food for the whole day. It’s difficult, right? Gijna was fed around 20 beers per day by her owner and the people who visited the restaurant. Even after her rescue, she did not respond they way caretakers were expecting as she was so frightened by the new environment that she stayed away from everybody.

Transformation Of Gijna

Due to the heavy alcohol consumption and the treatment she got from her owner and people she became that anxious and stressed bear that resulted in the several mood swings where she would stressed out with any reason and was afraid to even touch the water. But her transformation has been the most remarkable in the sanctuary.

Hi, I Am Gijna

She was really quiet but now she is going into the pool, eating vegetables, and even trying to find out different methods to communicate with other bears and caretakers in the sanctuary. She spends most of her time swimming and running in the grass with other bears.

Jeta ,The Selfie Bear

Jeta’s owner thought of her as a means to earn money where he would roam around the beach with Jeta who had a ring pierced in her nose through which a chain was connected. Her owner used her as a prop for the people who wanted to take a selfie with the bear at the beach while he holds the chain and made her move the way he wants.
Four Paws International explained. “Many tourists want a selfie with a bear and pay money for it.”

Chained And Caged

If being in a chain was not enough, her owner even kept her in the cage after all the posing at the beach. The cage was dirty and small that his owner kept it in the darkroom where rays of light was a privilege. Thanks to Four Paws that now she will guide her life in her own terms where the sound of chains won’t scare her anymore.
There still other bears like Jeta who are still waiting for a miracle to happen that will break the chains that are stopping them to taste the freedom they deserve.

Breaking The Chains

After she was rescued the first thing they did was to release her from the chains that ran through her nose for years. “Our team has just released Jeta from years of agony!” Four Paws wrote. “When she awakens from the anesthetic, she will finally be able to move independently without being guided by the chain.” Imagine her first walk on a green grass and no people in sight that want to click selfies with her but only her and her freedom to roam around and live life fit for bear.

Promising Future

According to Four Paws, Jeta is showing great improvements in her health and mental stability. She is currently living in a zoo and after her recovery, she will be shifted to Prishtina Bear Sanctuary in Kosovo, where she will meet Tomi and Hope and will start a whole new life. Hope they three gets along.

Working Together For Freedom

 

Still there around 50 caged bears in Albania that are known as “the saddest bears in Europe” where they go through a lot of difficulties forced on them by their owners. Some are used as a prop, for earning extra money, and some just have them caged in their yard for fun. But thanks to Four Paws and the Albanian government that has decided to put an end to the suffering of these bears. There are some more stories that are worth reading that will touch your soul.

Story Of Graeme

Graeme was snatched away from her mother twenty years ago. His owner kept him in a little cage where he grew up. His owner used him as an entertaining source for his company’s client. Later, he was given up to a zoo where his living condition did not get any better as he was caged again and had to fight with other bears for food. Today, he lives in a sanctuary and is living a healthy life.

A New Home For Terra And Pluto

World Animal Protection rescued Terra and her cub Pluto from a zoo where the management had nothing to do with the safety of bears. They were so irresponsible that Terra’s newborn baby was on the verge of death until they were rescued. They now live a happy life and Pluto is in a very good care. Soon he will grow into the beautiful bear. He is lucky that he will not experience the same sufferings that other bears did when they were kids.

Lula The Bear And Simba The Lion

This zoo in Mosul has been in the middle of the fight between the Iraqi Army and ISIS. It was left abandoned as the management did not care about the safety of the animals who were there in the zoo during a difficult time like this. But somehow a bear named Lula and a lion Simba survived all the chaos. Khalil, who rescued both of them said,“I think if we waited some days more, they would not be existing, they would be history.” But their journey from Mosul zoo to a wildlife refuge in Amman was not an easy one.

After All The Wait

Khalil says he and his team faced a lot of difficulties during their rescue operation as they were turned back twice from the border and the third time they were detained for nine days. Eventually. All their hard work paid off and they were allowed to cross the border with Lula and Simba. They both arrived in their new home after a week-long journey from Kurdistan to New Hope Centre in Jordan.
The first thing that Lula did after she arrived at the center, she took a long bath in the pool.