14 DAY TRIAL // Eleven bears have recently been rescued from a roadside zoo that failed to provide them with adequate shelter, food and vet care. The animals are now living at the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Boyd, Texas.
Interestingly enough, the bears have been rescued with the help of an anonymous benefactor, who agreed to purchase the bears and then let said animal sanctuary have them.
It appears that this benefactor has also donated the money needed to build proper enclosures for the animals.
As reported towards the middle of January, an undercover investigation carried out by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) had revealed that staff at the Cherokee, N.C., bear park, where these animals were kept, were guilty of animal cruelty, substance abuse and even racism.
Hence the organization's determination to rescue them and find them suitable homes. USA Today reports that the Chief Saunooke Bear Park was shut down by federal regulators about six months ago. Additionally, the people in charge of running it were fined $20,000.
The fines were due to the fact that the six black bears, three grizzlies and two Asian black bears at this facility were kept in concrete pits and forced to live in conditions that threatened their health and wellbeing.
Now that they have been rescued from the park, the animals will get to spend the rest of their lives in enclosures that mimic their natural habitats.
Thus, they have access to pools, and even dirt where they can dig, the same source informs us.
“We're just happy that we were able to provide the facility and the land and be part of this team that was put together to put these bears into a nice and comfortable life.”
“The biggest difference is they've got a natural setting now,” stated Richard Gilbreth, the current executive director of the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary.
“They finally get to be bears,” PETA member and General Counsel Jeff Kerr also said.