Five orphan bear cubs have been released to nature after they spent a year in the safety of facilities of environmental organization for the protection of the wild life ARCTUROS in Northern Greece. Luigi, Sophia, Mitko, Jonas and Radostina were reintegrated into their natural environment in Florina, Greece and Batunci, Bulgaria.
The five bear cubs were orphaned at the age of just a few months.
Luigi was found by a citizen in Klidia and Sofia in Triantafyllia, both ares in Florina. The other three cubs were found also by local residents in Batunci, Bulgaria,. The locals informed the authorities in charge that handed the orphaned cubs to organization Four Paws that transferred them to ARCTUROs in Greece.
All five cubs spent a year in the care ARCTUROS staff in the premises of the organization. With the contribution of specialized veterinarians the cubs were prepared for their return back to nature. They were taught the secrets of surviving in the nature, in fact what their mother would teach them. they gradually developed the behavior of a wild bear.
Short before the release operation was launched, the cubs were drugged so that the vets perform the necessary examinations. DNA sampling was taken, a microchip was placed as well as a special transmitter collar. They were placed in cages and transported to their new home.
Sophia and Luigi were transferred by the ARCTUROS Rapid Response Team to a forest area and amidst dense fogs they were released away from human settlements.
Video: Luigi and Sophia start a new life…
Jonas, Radostina and Mitko were handed over to Four Paws and returned to their natural environment in Bulgaria.The first re-integration of orphan bears from ARCTURO outside of Greece
It is the first time, that ARCTUROS reintegrates bear cubs into a foreign country.
Under the coordination of the Responsible Environmental Education of ARCTUROS, six children aged 9-15 participated also in the release operation.
