A new home for bears on the Isle of Wight

Set against the backdrop of the alluring Sandown Bay, the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary has become well known for its inspiring rescue stories.

Just last year, they offered a forever home to two tigers, Softi and Toph, who had been found in the back of a horsebox on the Belarussian border, bound for fates unknown. Now, the Wildheart team has undertaken their biggest project yet: to build a brand-new habitat for two European Brown Bears and rescue them directly from Azerbaijan.

While many other rescued animals have been lucky to find temporary sanctuary in Europe before coming to the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, bears Benji and Balu are still waiting to be saved from a concrete cage. The brothers have spent most of their lives at the side of a restaurant, living off scraps of food and serving as a novelty to attract customers. They have now been moved to a larger enclosure away from public view, but their living conditions are still less than favourable.

That is why the Sanctuary has launched an urgent campaign to raise £150,000 for Benji and Balu’s rescue, which will cover the necessary costs of transporting them across Europe and constructing a new purpose-built habitat. Since Project Bears launched in May, the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary has already raised over £45,000 through donations and has wasted no time in putting these funds to good use. Contractors have already begun works to transform a 3,500-metre square area into the perfect forever home for Benji and Balu.

Throughout the summer, there will be various fundraising events taking place on the Isle of Wight and beyond to raise money for this groundbreaking project. In June, the Wildheart team will be facing the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing three mountains in twenty-four hours, and on the 20 July you’ll be able to ‘bear’ witness as two cyclists dressed as bears ride across the Island on Penny Farthing bikes – yes, you did read that right!

Marketing Manager at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Lee Saudan added: “There are so many ways that people can get involved with this incredible project – whether that’s making a donation, setting up their own fundraiser, or volunteering time, goods or services – so if you’ve got a great idea, we’d love for you to get in touch.”