More than 30 years ago, a beautiful Syrian brown bear named Fifi was brought to a zoo in Pennsylvania. She was forced to perform tricks and entertain guests until the zoo closed in 1995. When the zoo closed, the owners left Fifi and three other bears in small cages. For 20 years, the bears were confined to rusty metal cages with concrete floors, with only a dilapidated kennel for shelter.
Fifi’s eyes were uncommonly sad. In the film you can see her fumbling with the cage and desperately trying to get out. After a kind whistleblower warn PETA to the bear’s plight, the animal welfare organisation, in partnership with The Wild Animal Sanctuary, managed to rescue Fifi and her friends Bruno, Pocahontas and Marsha in July 2015.
When her rescuers arrived, Fifi had a matted coat and hollowed eyes. She was painfully thin and suffering from untreated arthritis in her hind legs. PETA asked a bear expert to examine their condition and determine if they were healthy enough to leave. The bears were given the green light and taken to the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, accompanied by two emergency room veterinarians.
In the first picture you can see the syrian brown bear. Her name is Fifi. She was locked up in a small-scale cage for over 30 years.
Her fur was tedious, her eyes were recessed. She was also suffering from untreated arthritis.
You could clearly see the sadness in her eyes.
She was begging for freedom.
After decades of suffering, Fifi finally got the home and care she so desperately needed and deserved. Her new home had a beautiful lawn, swimming holes, underground caves and on-site vet.
Bruno, Pocahontas and Marsha were understandably wary when the cage doors were opened. Fifi, on the other hand, immediately took to her new surroundings and went into the bath to take a shower.
The bears needed some time to get used to their new home. They spent about a week in separate temporary enclosures that were bigger than their old cages but much smaller than their new habitat, so they could get used to everything before they were given full access to their new and amazing forever home.
Fifi, Bruno, Pocahontas and Marsha were finally no longer confined to small cages. The bears were free to gather in groups and, for the first time in their lives, they had dens and could hibernate.
The sadness in Fifi’s eyes finally started to turn into happiness and relief.
After five months at the sanctuary, Fifi’s life was fulfilled with happiness and health. She had a filled coat, and her legs got stronger day by day.
Grievously our beautiful Fifi passed away in 2019.
Fortunately she had the chance to life her final years being cared for in the best way possible.
Watch Fifi’s story in the video below and don’t forget to share it with your family and friends!
Fifi’s life made a difference and her suffering was not in vain. People all over the world fell in love with Fifi and were motivated by her story to oppose the cruel imprisonment of bears.
Well done, Fifi! Her strength and will to survive will never be forgotten.