For a long time, the rescue of brown bears Benji and Balu seemed nearly impossible. However, with the support of Cargolux, both animals were finally freed from their “miserable caged life” in Azerbaijan.
As early as last year, the UK-based Wildheart Animal Sanctuary began raising funds to build a “new habitat” for the bears. Benji and Balu had been living in poor conditions – “bored, hungry, and with serious injuries” – in a small enclosure next to a restaurant, kept solely as a tourist attraction to lure in customers.
Now, the two bears “have a chance at a better life” at the sanctuary on the Isle of Wight, according to a statement on Wildheart’s website. One of the biggest hurdles in the rescue operation, which was finding a “humane mode of transport”, has finally been overcome.
A journey by land, rail, or sea from Azerbaijan would have been “difficult and stressful”, so the team opted for what they called the “best solution": a direct flight to the United Kingdom.
The costs of flying two bears across such a long distance were enormous, making the rescue seem impossible for a long time. Until Luxembourg-based airline Cargolux stepped in.
Since this was the first mission of its kind in Azerbaijan, Cargolux did not just cover the costs, they also built custom transport crates specifically designed for the bears. For the approximately 3,000-mile journey, Benji and Balu are expected to spend about fix to six hours onboard the aircraft.
“Without Cargolux, this rescue project would not have been possible”, said Lawrence Bates, CEO of Wildheart Animal Sanctuary. “This was one of the biggest costs of the operation, and we couldn’t thank Cargolux enough for their help and for making this possible”
The sanctuary also highlighted Cargolux’ extensive experience in animal transport, referencing the relocation of two beluga whales from China to an Iceland sanctuary.
Richard Forson, President and CEO of Cargolux, emphasised the company’s commitment to animal welfare and wildlife preservation and added that they “look forward to seeing the two bears thrive in their new home”.
An expert team is overseeing the intercontinental transport. Along with the specially designed crates ensuring a safe and comfortable journey, Benji and Balu will be accompanied by veterinarians throughout the flight. After arriving in the UK, the bears will travel across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, where they are expected to arrive in June.
Their new home will be very different from their life in Azerbaijan. Until now, the bears had only known “concrete beneath their feet”, with “no water to bathe in and no place to hibernate”.
Their new habitat will span approximately 3,500 square metres and feature meadows, trees, ponds, and dens for winter sleep. They are also expected to benefit from significantly improved nutrition and care.
