Gray Bear Held in Captivity for 8 Years Rescued in Hankavan

A gray bear that had been held in captivity for around eight years at one of the hotel complexes in Hankavan has finally been released. According to the Ministry of Environment, the animal has been transferred to the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC), which operates under the auspices of the FPWC foundation.

It has been noted that the bear is currently undergoing a quarantine period, after which it is expected to be moved to a large outdoor enclosure. At the center, the animal receives necessary veterinary care and rehabilitative therapy aimed at mitigating the psychological and physical impacts of long-term captivity.

Public alerts regarding the bear's unfavorable living conditions had been raised as early as 2017. The rescue operation was carried out in 2025 through the collaboration of FPWC's professional team, the international partner organization International Animal Rescue (IAR), and state bodies including the Ministry of Environment and the Environmental and Mining Inspection Authority.