Gordo and Florencia, two brown bears aged 17 and 18, recently made their way from the Luján zoo in Argentina to a sanctuary in Bulgaria, founded by the organization Four Paws in collaboration with the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. Their relocation was part of a larger effort to provide a better living environment for these bears, who have lived in captivity for years since arriving as cubs from the Batán zoo in Buenos Aires province.

The bears traveled on a Lufthansa flight that departed from Ezeiza Airport in Buenos Aires and arrived in Sofia almost 30 hours later. Their journey included a land transfer to the sanctuary in Belitsa, located approximately 167 kilometers from Sofia. This type of relocation is part of ongoing initiatives to rehabilitate wild animals and promote animal welfare, indicating a significant shift in attitudes toward animal captivity in Argentina and globally.

Upon their arrival at the sanctuary, Gordo and Florencia will undergo a quarantine period before integrating with other animals at the facility. This relocation is not only a win for the bears but also highlights the broader movement towards animal sanctuaries, where animals can live in environments closer to their natural habitats, reinforcing the importance of providing ethical care for wild animals.