Two brown bears, Bu and Tyapa, are on the mend at Wild Ireland, a wildlife sanctuary located in Burnfoot, County Donegal, following a remarkable five-year rescue operation that was complicated by international conflicts. Both bears were rescued from dire circumstances in Russia, enduring years of malnutrition, dehydration, and psychological trauma.
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Since their arrival at the sanctuary in early August, Bu and Tyapa have shown significant improvement in both their health and behaviour. Their caretaker, Killian McLaughlin, confirmed that the bears have gained weight and developed healthier fur. Comprehensive blood tests revealed that their kidney functions have drastically improved from the alarming levels noted before their rescue.
Prior to their relocation, Bu and Tyapa’s living conditions were deplorable. Bu, who was forced to perform in a circus, spent years in a tiny indoor cage. Tyapa was kept in a severely restricted enclosure measuring just 2.5 by 2.5 by 2 metres, which was insufficient for him to stand upright. Without access to fresh water, Tyapa drank from a hose, demonstrating the extreme neglect the bears endured. Unfortunately, they were also being raised under the dire threat of being killed for taxidermy display.
Echoing the urgency of their situation, McLaughlin remarked on the bears’ trauma, stating, “The first step of that recovery process is to get them back out into the forest, get their paws into the soil and on the grass, and get them exploring. We hope they can now have a full and happy life.”
The rescue journey itself was fraught with challenges. McLaughlin first became aware of the bears’ plight in 2021, but logistical issues related to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia complicated the efforts to bring them to safety. A planned transport route through Ukraine was blocked following the Russian invasion in February 2022. Efforts to reroute through the Middle East were also thwarted by escalating tensions involving Iran, leading to airspace closures in February 2026.
By late October 2025, the sanctuary owners, Dima and Yana Kim, undertook an arduous 36-hour drive to Dagestan, where the bears were being held. In a critical operation, the bears were sedated, extricated from their rusted cages, and taken to Tiger House near St. Petersburg for urgent veterinary care and quarantine. Finally, after months of delays, they were flown from Moscow to Dublin, completing a journey fraught with peril and setbacks.
The effort to rescue Bu and Tyapa has received significant support from collaborators across various sectors. Stanislas Brun, chief cargo officer at Etihad, expressed pride in being part of such a significant mission. “Bu and Tyapa’s rescue is a powerful example of how collaboration can give animals a second chance at life,” Brun stated, highlighting the collective effort involved in their recovery.
At Wild Ireland, the bears are now adapting to a much more natural environment. They have access to enclosures that connect them with woodlands, water sources, and sheltered areas, all designed to allow them to retreat from public eye when desired. Staff members have implemented techniques, such as hiding food around the habitat, to encourage natural foraging behaviours. According to Chloe McElhatton, a member of the bear care team, “Over time, we’ve seen their confidence build, and you can see great changes, both physically and mentally, in both of them.”
In addition to the bears’ rehabilitation, their incredible rescue story will be captured in a documentary, set for release in 2027 and produced by Abu Dhabi-based Moondance Productions. This film will chronicle the extensive five-year mission undertaken to save Bu and Tyapa from their past lives and will serve as a testament to the dedication of the many individuals involved in their journey to recovery.
With each passing day, Bu and Tyapa are embracing their new life in the Irish wilds, moving further away from the trauma of their past and stepping into a future filled with hope and healing.