Five-year rescue mission brings caged Russian bears to Inishowen

Two brown bears rescued from unsuitable conditions in Russia are settling into their new forest home at Wild Ireland in Burnfoot, following a five-year international rescue mission led by sanctuary founder and director Killian McLaughlin.

Bu, a former circus bear, and Tyapa, who was kept in a petting zoo, arrived in Ireland in early August after years of confinement in Dagestan, Russia. Following veterinary treatment and quarantine, they were introduced to their forest habitat on September 7.

Killian first learned about the bears in 2021 through Bears in Mind, a Netherlands-based charity with which he had previously worked. The bears were being housed at Right to Life, a small dog and cat sanctuary that lacked the facilities to provide their long-term care.

Tyapa had spent his life in a cage measuring just 2.5 metres by 2.5 metres and two metres high, leaving him unable to stand upright. The enclosure offered no protection from extreme temperatures, and he had no water dish, relying on a hose when carers could reach him.

Bu had previously been forced to perform in a circus before spending years in a small indoor cage, with limited access to water.

Determined to give the bears a better future, Killian committed to bringing them to Donegal.

The original plan was to transport the bears by road through Ukraine, but Russia’s invasion of the country in February 2022 made that impossible. Sanctions and international transport restrictions caused further delays.

Killian, a qualified solicitor, worked with legal advisers and volunteers in Russia to find a way forward. In January 2025, Dima and Yana Kim, who operate Tiger House, a sanctuary near St Petersburg, agreed to help. Yana, a veterinarian, oversaw the bears’ medical assessments and treatment.

In October of last year, the bears were removed from their rusting steel cages, sedated and transported to Tiger House, where they began quarantine and veterinary care.

Blood tests revealed serious kidney problems associated with prolonged dehydration. Both bears were severely malnourished and showed signs of psychological trauma. Over the following months, they received regular food, fresh water and veterinary treatment.

A further obstacle to getting them to Ireland emerged at the start of this year when escalating conflict involving Iran disrupted flights and closed airspace across parts of the Middle East.

The breakthrough to bring the two bears to Inishowen came in June, when Intradco Global and Etihad Cargo joined the rescue effort. Intradco provided specialist animal transport services free of charge, while Etihad Cargo agreed to fly the bears from Moscow through Abu Dhabi to Dublin at a greatly reduced price.

More than 100 people across several countries ultimately helped bring the operation to completion. Killian travelled to Abu Dhabi to meet the bears and accompany them on the final flight to Ireland. They were then transported from Dublin to Wild Ireland by Buncrana’s William Gill Livestock Transport.

“These were two bears that had been forgotten about, left to rot in cages in Dagestan,” Killian said. “I couldn’t forget about Bu and Tyapa, even when it seemed impossible.”

Killian, also known as the Bearman of Buncrana, said the cooperation between people in Russia, Abu Dhabi and Ireland had offered hope amid the conflict and difficulties surrounding the rescue.

“There was kindness and compassion in the middle of so much strife and war. Maybe Bu and Tyapa’s story offers a bit of hope.”

Since they arrived at Wild Ireland, both bears have gained weight, their coats have improved, and follow-up blood tests have shown their kidney function has returned to normal.

However, adapting to their new forest surroundings will take time. Both remain frightened of open spaces, trees moving in the wind and deep water, often returning to smaller houses where they feel secure.

“Things we might expect a bear to enjoy can frighten them because they have never had the chance to experience them before,” Killian explained.

The Burnfoot sanctuary will allow the bears to explore at their own pace, with woodland, water and space to roam, as well as sheltered areas where they can retreat from their surroundings.

Visitors have the opportunity to see Bu and Tyapa during the October mid-term break, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.

“We ask visitors to bear with them while they settle,” Killian said. “Giving them that choice is part of their recovery.”

“After five years, traversing four countries, and two war zones, Bu and Tyapa are finally home. The rest of their lives now belong to them.”

Television production company Moondance Productions has documented the rescue of the two bears from its earliest stages, with director Shane Brennan following the operation as it unfolded.

Moondance Productions previously produced Return of the Wild: The Bearman of Buncrana, which chronicled the development of Wild Ireland and reached audiences through RTÉ, Netflix, Apple TV and international airline entertainment services.

The new documentary, following Killian’s efforts to bring Bu and Tyapa to safety, is expected to be released next year.

Wild Ireland, which opened in Burnfoot in October 2019, provides sanctuary and rehabilitation for rescued animals, including brown bears, wolves and lynx.

Members of the public can support the bears’ continuing care by visiting Wild Ireland, making a donation, sponsoring an animal or becoming a member.

To book a visit or donate, visit the Wild Ireland website.