Two war refugee bear cubs conceived in Ukraine have travelled hundreds of miles to reach a forever home in Britain.
Two-year-old siblings, Malenky and Nanuq, were born in Belgium after their mother was rescued from the front line in war-torn Ukraine.
It’s thought the cubs were conceived in Ukraine.
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Their mother was smuggled out in the back of a van to escape Russian shelling.
The cubs arrived at their new home on Tuesday after a long journey from De Zonnegloed Wild Animal Sanctuary.
Their arrival at Wildwood, in Ottery St Mary, Devon, was described as a heartwarming milestone in their journey of survival.
Director of zoo operations Mark Habben said they were thrilled to welcome the duo, who, as reported by What’s The Jam, would be given a safe, enriched environment in which to thrive.
“We’re thrilled to welcome them to Wildwood, where we can provide them with a safe, enriched environment to thrive under the watch of our expert keepers,” he said.
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Mr Habben said his colleagues in Belgium did an incredible job caring for Malenky and Nanuq, but due to a lack of space and resources, they were not able to provide the cubs with the future they deserved.
He added that staff would help the pair settle in the coming weeks.
Malenky and Nanuq share their new home with another rescued sibling duo, brown bears Mish and Lucy, who were rescued from Albania in 2021.
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Paul Whitfield, director general of the Wildwood Trust, said they relied on the public’s support to help more bears like Malenky and Nanuq.
He said, “Every rescued bear needs food, shelter, medical care, and enrichment.
“We spend around £70,000 a year caring for each rescued bear, which is why fundraising is essential to everything we do.
“All the bears at Wildwood have come from unimaginable hardship.
“Malenky and Nanuq represent not just survival, but the growing threat to wildlife around the world.
“Their story reminds us why rescue work matters – and why we must act.”
Wildwood has now rescued and rehabilitated eight brown bears from hardship.
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