Bears leave for a better life

LIMASSOL zoo’s twin bears yesterday flew to their new home, a wildlife sanctuary in Hungary where they will spend the rest of their lives.

After having spent years in cramped conditions at the zoo, the bears will be given a chance to adapt to wildlife and eventually be released in the sanctuary.

Fifteen-year-olds Midas and Noah were born in Tel Aviv zoo and were brought to Cyprus in 1993.

Limassol Mayor Demetris Kontides said the town was sad to see the bears go, adding, however, that it was necessary since according to European Union rules, the zoo was not in a position to keep such large animals.

Despite the problems, the municipality did everything possible for the care of the bears, which would soon be among their own in a pine forest with large lakes, Kontides said.
State vet services deputy director George Neophytou said the zoo’s operation did not fully comply with wildlife preservation rules, despite the substantial improvements of the past few years.

He assured that the effort to upgrade the zoo to come into line with regulations and be transformed into a wildlife training centre would continue.

The move was welcomed by animal rights groups, who for years have been pointing out the zoo’s shortcomings.

Expenses for the transfer to the Veresegyhaz sanctuary near Budapest, as well as the upkeep of the bears, have been covered assumed by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

Municipal vet Lambros Lambrou said every effort would be made to move the bears from the cages and into special containers without using anaesthetic. The move was scheduled for 9.30 last night.

After that, the bears would board a chartered 3am flight from Larnaca, expected to arrive in Budapest at 7am.

At Veresegyhaz, which is located an hour’s drive from Budapest, the bears would be put into quarantine for several weeks, and then released into the sanctuary where they would join around 30 other bears.