It can be terrifying — and rather difficult — to imagine what it feels like to be caged in for long periods of time.
The sensation of being boxed into a confined space alone would be a nightmarish, claustrophobic experience for us. What right does anyone have, then, to do this to innocent, wild animals?
Wildlife sanctuaries are constantly being alerted to save animals that have been left abandoned, neglected, and abused for years.
Just last year, PETA rescued four bears that previously belonged to a roadside zoo in Pennsylvania. They had been rotting away in cages and only had wooden boxes to sleep in.
They were malnourished, weak, cold, and disoriented. Luckily, The Wild Animal Sanctuary was able to nurse them back to health, and to give them back their freedom.
Below is the story of one of these bears, Fifi. Scroll further to read Fifi the bear's heartwarming rescue story, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
[H/T: The Dodo]
Fifi, a Syrian brown bear, was born into a roadside zoo in Pennsylvania.
She had spent 10 years performing at the zoo, but was suddenly abandoned when the zoo shut down.
For the next two decades of her life, Fifi was trapped inside her concrete cell with three other bears, left to rot away.
A little less than a year ago, Fifi’s originally owner finally decided to leave the bears.
PETA was alerted to the scene, and what they found was tragic and absolutely horrendous.
They found an emaciated Fifi, her eyes sunken and her coat dirty and faded.
She had not stepped foot outside the cage for 20 years, and wasn’t able to do what normal, healthy bears have to do: hibernate, play, and walk on fresh grass.
PETA quickly removed Fifi from behind those bars, and worked to nurse her back to health.
They noticed that she was in pain whenever she moved, and that she suffered from severe arthritis in her back and legs.
Fifi and her friends were brought to The Wild Animal Sanctuary reserve in Keenesburg, CO, and were introduced to a new found freedom.
The focus was to encourage them to hibernate. This was challenging as they were never before allowed to hibernate, and had trouble embracing the concept.
They were free to roam around the wildlife sanctuary’s underground dens, and were fed healthy, nutritious foods to help them get comfortable with hibernating.
Eventually, Fifi and the other bears successfully hibernated for the first time in their lives.
They were a little unsure at times, and came out from under the underground dens to check out what was going on in the outside world. But with encouragement, they generally were able to sleep peacefully for long periods at a time.
“This is very normal the first year a rescued bear tries to hibernate, and the behavior will not repeat the second year, since they will have mastered the concept,” the sanctuary wrote in a post this past December.
And, for the first time in her life, Fifi is able to enjoy all the delicious foods that she wants.
All four bears are also staying well hydrated.
“Bold Fifi headed straight for a dip in the tub” after they were let out of their cages.
Fortunately, all four bears are now back on track with proper healthy diets, and are now much more physically fit and stable than they ever were before.
We are so, so happy that Fifi is getting healthier and happier each day, and that she is finally living the life that she was always meant to enjoy.
Please SHARE if you were touched by Fifi’s incredible transformation!
