PREVIEW

A family of Syrian brown bears has been rescued from the backyard of a private residence in Armenia, following what rescuers describe as years of abuse and neglect.

The bears – Aram, Nairi, and their daughter Lola – were found living in "filthy cages" and deprived of "basic care", according to the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), which uncovered the conditions during an investigation.

The joint operation, carried out by FPWC and Uckfield-based International Animal Rescue (IAR), took place in Yerevan on 20 March and lasted more than 12 hours.

IAR described the scene as one of "stench" and "filth", calling it "horrific" and the result of "years of unimaginable cruelty".

"The sheer cruelty of locking these animals up in tiny cages and feeding them cola, it was absolutely horrific," said Alan Knight, president of IAR.

Aram, the male bear, had been kept captive for 12 years, while Nairi, a female bear taken from the wild, had been repeatedly bred with him, IAR said. Their cub, Lola, was rescued alongside them, though previous offspring were allegedly taken and sold.

"These were some of the worst conditions I have ever seen," Mr Knight added.

IAR called the operation their "most difficult one to date".

Despite having a legal order, the rescue team said they were initially denied access by the bears’ owner. Only after a prolonged standoff did they manage to enter the property at nightfall, working "under heavy rain and darkness" by torchlight to sedate and transport the animals.

All three bears are now in quarantine at FPWC’s wildlife rescue centre in Urtsadzor, Armenia, where they are receiving emergency veterinary treatment.

IAR has launched an appeal to support their care and help complete a new sanctuary where the bears can be safely rehomed.