With the help of Cargolux, six rescued bears have safely arrived at their new home in Denmark. This was not the first time the Luxembourg-based cargo airline has assisted in a bear rescue mission, but it marked the first relocation of so-called bile bears to Europe.
For years, the six bears had lived on farms in small cages until they were rescued a few months ago. They were brought to rescue centres, where they received care and preparation for a life free from exploitation.
On 19 June, the bears finally arrived at their new home following a journey of several thousand kilometres.
After three weeks of quarantine, during which care staff closely monitored each bear to ensure they were adapting to life after captivity, the first two bears were able to explore their new 23,000-square-metre enclosure for the first time on Thursday. The two took a particular liking to the many trees and the lake, which provides excellent bathing opportunities.
From now on, visitors to the popular park will also have the opportunity to observe the bears – provided they do not hide in the large forested area.
For years, animal welfare activists campaigned for a ban on bear farming. In early 2026, such a ban came into effect in South Korea.
To give the more than 100 bears currently in rescue centres a second chance, animal welfare organisations – such as Bears in Mind – have been seeking permanent sanctuaries where the animals can live out the rest of their lives.
In this context, Cargolux recently transported six bile bears to Luxembourg, from where a lorry carried them onward to the Knuthenborg safari park in Denmark.
