Two rescued brown bears who spent their lives confined in a stark concrete cage in Azerbaijan are now flourishing in a lush Isle of Wight sanctuary – delighting visitors and online fans from around the world.
Benji and Balu, the adorable brothers now living at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown, arrived in June after an international rescue mission and public fundraising appeal that captured hearts across the UK.
Their transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. With space to roam, climb, and explore for the very first time, both bears have flourished. Their coats are now thick and glossy, their muscles stronger, and their behaviour full of curiosity and energy.
“They’re unrecognisable from the animals we first saw,” said Lawrence Bates, founder of Wildheart Animal Sanctuary. “Benji and Balu are thriving, and to see them climbing, splashing about, and exploring their surroundings is just magical. This is what every wild animal deserves – a life worth living.”
Benji, the more adventurous of the pair, has taken to his new life with ease – confidently exploring the enclosure and making full use of the enrichment toys lovingly hand-crafted by the Sanctuary’s team.
Balu, a little more cautious at first, shows a quiet confidence and plenty of playful mischief.
Their inquisitive natures have kept the maintenance team busy.
“They love to dig,” said Lawrence. “We fix one hole, they start another! But it’s a great sign – it shows they feel safe and comfortable enough to just be bears.”
Visitors have been moved to tears watching the brothers revel in their freedom after years of deprivation.
Crowds gather daily to see them tumble, splash, and snack on their specially designed diets – a nourishing blend of fruit, vegetables, and for the first time in their lives, meat, which is vital for their health and wellbeing.
Webcam footage of Benji and Balu has attracted millions of views from across the globe, with fans from as far away as Australia and the US following their journey as they grow in confidence and happiness.
Guests can enjoy a more peaceful encounter with the bears at the Sanctuary’s Sunrise Breakfast events on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, or the Twilight Safari BBQs on Wednesday evenings – special experiences that offer crowd-free moments to watch the bears in a relaxed, natural setting.
The brothers’ remarkable story recently reached an even wider audience with a feature on BBC’s The One Show, bringing national attention to their journey from despair to joy.
“For us, it’s all about giving animals like Benji and Balu a second chance,” added Lawrence. “The response from the public has been overwhelming – they’ve helped give these bears the life they were always meant to have.
And in return, these two boys are giving us joy, laughter – and a whole lot of digging.”
To find out more, visit 👉 wildheartanimalsanctuary.org