Elderly Circus Bear Takes First Steps to a New Life After 20 Years Behind Bars

Emma Ackerman
May 26, 2023
May 26, 2023

An elderly circus bear, confined to a cage for two decades, is now experiencing the taste of freedom. With the help of dedicated animal welfare organizations and compassionate individuals, this courageous bear has embarked on a transformative journey toward a life of open spaces and natural habitats. Join us as we witness the great beginning of this bear's new chapter, filled with hope, liberation, and a chance to embrace her wild instincts.

Source: WHITE ROCK bear shelter

A circus is not the right place for animals, and a Himalayan bear named Chada knew circus life all too well.

Source: WHITE ROCK bear shelter

We all agree that natural habitat is the most suitable environment for animals; however, many animals are now put in living conditions that are far different from what their lives should be. Other than species that are hunted because of their valuable body parts, there are animals that are bred in captivity and enslaved for Entertainment and tourism.

Chada is one of those unfortunate bears bred in captivity. She once lived in a circus and was kept in a small cage for 20 years. Her eyes are almost blind.

The Save Wild Foundation rushed to the scene and rescued Chada.

Source: GeoBeats Animals

Her previous owners probably thought she was already too old for their business, so they left her in an empty garage. Thankfully, someone noticed her in the cage and called the White Rock Bear Shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine.
After receiving the call, the foundation’s staff, headed by their zoologist, Marina, quickly came to rescue the poor animal and brought her to the Wild Rock Bear Shelter. When Chada moved into the shelter, she was provided with veterinary treatment and a living condition that was closer to her natural habitat.

Source: WHITE ROCK bear shelter

Everything seemed new to Chada when she was first released.

Source: GeoBeats Animals

“When we released her, first time in an enclosure, it’s always an emotional moment because it’s a first time when bears see grass and see water.” shared Marina. “She searched and investigated everything around her.
Chada is an Ursus arctos isabellinus, a Himalayan subspecies of the brown bear often found in Middle Asia. Usually, this breed is 9.19 feet in size and weighs 456.36 pounds, but Chada is only 260 pounds since she lived inside a small cage most of her life. Moreover, she is an endangered animal, so she has to stay inside an enclosure. People at the shelter are afraid that other species there might hurt her fragile body.

Even though her socialization with other bears is limited, this doesn’t mean Chada doesn’t find her new life fun.

Source: GeoBeats Animals

Her enclosure features a sizable area for running around, a den and warm box for the winter, and a small swimming pool for the summer heat. She frequently walks around her enclosure and enjoys running around the grass. Chada especially loves her pool, and she can’t stop splashing the water in it.

Source: WHITE ROCK bear shelter

She does, however, also take her downtime seriously, becoming irritable occasionally when the other wolves and bears become too noisy—just like a grandmother!

Source: WHITE ROCK bear shelter

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