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The wildlife charity that’s giving orphaned bear cubs a fighting chance

Born Free believes every animal counts. By adopting a bear cub today, you could help the charity look out for their future

5 mins read time  |  Written by Anya Shah

It goes without saying that every wild animal deserves to live a happy and healthy life in their natural habitat, but, sadly, many face a darker reality. Born Free is driven by the belief that we have a responsibility to change this and its mission is threefold: to protect animals from exploitation; to rescue, care for and rehabilitate those in need of help; and to educate the public on how we can co-exist more peacefully.

The leading wildlife charity works with animal rehabilitation centres around the world, each of which acts as a sanctuary for vulnerable wildlife. Experts at these facilities work around the clock to nurse every animal back to health and equip them with the skills they need to survive, so they can ultimately be released back into the wild.

One such centre is the Orphan Bear Rescue Centre (OBRC), based about 450km northwest of Moscow, Russia, where parentless brown bear cubs who are struggling to survive on their own are raised and rehabilitated. Read on to find out how your support could help in the fight for their survival.

A second chance

Native to the thick, wooded forests of Russia, many brown bears have sadly fallen victim to human selfishness, which has compromised their homes, health and ability to survive. Logging, for example, disturbs the woodland the bears call home, forcing them to re-locate and separate from their families. Brown bears are also highly sought-after in illegal trophy hunting, and are often killed for entertainment or to be displayed as a ‘prize’.

Understandably, these threats can result in terrified bears fleeing for their lives, leaving their home in search of safer grounds. Sometimes, a scared mother bear is forced to abandon her new-born cubs, leaving them blind, helpless and alone.

This is where Born Free steps in. Working with the OBRC, the charity locates vulnerable cubs and brings them into the centre so they can be provided with 24-hour care – this includes feeding them every two hours and administering any necessary veterinary treatments. Many cubs are only days old and arrive in critical condition, emaciated, injured and suffering with pneumonia.

24-hour care – this includes feeding them every two hours and administering any necessary veterinary treatments. Many cubs are only days old and arrive in critical condition, emaciated, injured and suffering with pneumonia.

As the cubs begin to grow in strength, they are gradually released into a large, natural enclosure where they can safely learn about the forest and the skills they’ll need to survive. At around eight to ten months old, most cubs are ready to be released back into the wild, where OBRC’s specialists continue to monitor them to ensure they adapt to life in the wild smoothly.

How to save a life

The valuable work of Born Free and the OBRC has given many bear cubs a second chance at living the life they deserve. To date, the centre has returned 246 bears to the wild, and has 18 cubs in its care. It’s only through the support of people like you that the charity can continue its vital conservation work.

By adopting a bear, you can help ensure orphaned bear cubs are given the care they need to survive. For just £3 a month, or £36 for the year, you’ll be helping to fund this invaluable work. As a thank you, you’ll receive a gift pack, soft toy and an issue of the Adopt magazine twice a year.