Orphaned bears make cross-continent journey

  • 24/05/2016
(Reuters)
(Reuters)

Bear cubs rescued from floods in Georgia have journeyed nearly 3000km to a new home in Greece.

Mollie, Georgia and Louisa were rescued from floods that devastated the Georgian capital of Tbilisi last summer, but were orphaned.

An emotional appeal was then launched by international wildlife charity Born Free to help the three bears, who needed a safe place to live for life.

Born Free's senior veterinary consultant, John Knight said the sanctuary in the mountains of Northern Greece will be a great new home for the cubs.

"They travelled very well -- snoozing through much of their journey whilst enjoying regular drinks and snacks en route," he said.

"On arrival, they came straight out of their travel crates to explore their new home, and immediately started to settle in."

Born Free Foundation co-founder and trustee, Virginia McKenna was overjoyed to learn the three cubs had arrived safely at Arcturos.

"This rescue, perhaps more than any other we have undertaken in recent years, demonstrates just how difficult, time-consuming and challenging it is to successfully move animals in desperate need to a lifetime care sanctuary," she said.

Newshub.