06:00, 18 December 2024
Words by Abi Scaife, Staff Writer, London
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of two charities, one adorable bear will be out of captivity for the first time in years, just in time for Christmas.
Margaretta, or Retta as she is affectionately known, is an example of why having animals in a circus can be so cruel. For years, Retta has been kept in a concrete cage no bigger than a cupboard, unable to touch the ground or roam in the fresh air as nature intended.
Every year, wild bears are illegally trapped by poachers in Armenia. Once captured, most end up in small cages, used for public entertainment - even at restaurants or hotels. This is all to make money off their suffering and is a terrible practice that cannot be tolerated.
Thanks to a collaboration between organisations International Animal Rescue (IAR) and its Armenian partner FPWC (Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets) at least one bear will be free for Christmas. Retta, who was sadly held in these awful conditions, has been rescued by this incredible team.
Their tireless work collaborating with authorities on the ground in Armenia has enabled them to rescue Retta, who is now in the quarantine quarters of International Animal Rescue and FPWC's bear sanctuary.
Retta was rescued as part of The Great Bear Rescue campaign, jointly managed by International Animal Rescue and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets. The campaign is designed to save these incredible creatures, who are cruelly kept in cages across Armenia.
International Animal Rescue's President, Alan Knight OBE, reflects on the mission: "Rescuing Retta was a monumental effort, but seeing her rediscover her instincts and joy will be worth every second. Her resilience inspires us to keep fighting for animals like her, who desperately need a second chance at a life worth living."
Alan Knight OBE was awarded his OBE in recognition of his services to animal welfare. He is President of International Animal Rescue, a charity working to end the suffering of animals across the globe. Having cared deeply for animals his entire life and founded a conservation charity in the late 80s, Knight gave up his family business to take over at the helm of International Animal Rescue in Uckfield, UK, over two decades ago.
While it won’t quite be in time for Christmas, once Retta’s quarantine is over she will be able to roam wild and free, feeling the soil under her paws for the first time. Once she is done with her quarantine, and they have confirmed she isn’t a risk, she will be able to join the almost 30 other bears at the sanctuary.
This is an incredible story of resilience, of people choosing to take care of their planet and the creatures on it and literally going the extra mile to make sure they are safe and well - making it perfect for Christmas.
To follow Retta’s journey, and the journeys of so many bears just like her, you can visit the International Animal Rescue website.
International Animal Rescue is a global organisation dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating animals suffering from injury, illness, and cruelty. The organisation also works to protect the natural habitats of these animals and raise awareness about the importance of conservation.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Wildlife Justice Commission. This international foundation works to end animal trafficking around the globe. Find out more here.
Born Free. This is a wildlife conservation charity that’s passionate about wild animal welfare and Compassionate Conservation. Find out more here.
The Orangutan Project. This is a project run by two non-profits with one mission: to ensure the survival of all orangutan species in their natural habitat and promote the welfare of all orangutans. Support them here.
