Rescued bears that suffered severe mistreatment are now thriving in a sanctuary in Kosovo, thanks to the efforts of animal rescue group Four Paws.
The rescue began when Four Paws received reports of a bear kept in appalling conditions next to a restaurant in southern Albania.
Upon arrival, they found Pashuk, a bear chained since he was a cub. Over time, the chain had become embedded in his skin and fur, causing immense pain.
Carsten Hertwig, head of sustainable sanctuaries at Four Paws, described the situation as heartbreaking: “They put this tight chain around Pashuk’s neck when he was young and kept him in a cramped cell. Even as he grew, the chain remained, causing unimaginable suffering.”
Pashuk was initially too weak to be moved directly to Four Paws’ sanctuary in Pristina, Kosovo. Instead, he was taken to Tirana Zoo in Albania to regain strength over several weeks.
Around the same time, another bear named Gjina was rescued from Zergan, Albania. Gjina had been confined in a small cage next to a restaurant, where she was forced to consume up to 20 bottles of beer daily.
After their rescue, Pashuk and Gjina, who had never interacted closely with other bears, were gradually introduced to each other over ten months. They have since formed a strong bond and are preparing to hibernate for the winter.
Afrim Mahmuti, site manager at the Bear Sanctuary Pristina, expressed hope that Pashuk’s story will serve as a reminder against animal mistreatment: “It was a painful journey, but it has a happy ending.”
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