A Fresh Start for Bear Cubs Nanuq and Malenky

At De Zonnegloed, we are committed to doing what’s best for our animals. Unfortunately, we recently had to make a difficult decision: finding a new home for our bear cubs Nanuq and Malenky.

Despite our efforts to expand their enclosure and keep them here, we couldn’t proceed with the necessary infrastructure without government approval. It’s important for us to emphasize that this decision stems not from unwillingness, but from the constraints we encountered.

An Unexpected Pregnancy

In January 2023, we received a surprising turn of events: Sandra, a brown bear we rescued in 2022 following her evacuation from Ukraine, turned out to be unexpectedly pregnant and gave birth to two cubs a few months later. Though we weren’t prepared for this addition, we welcomed Nanuq and Malenky with open arms. It was a special moment for our team and for Sandra, who, despite her troubled past, proved to be a loving mother.

However, like all young bears, Nanuq and Malenky are growing up. With six bears now in our care, our current facilities are no longer adequate. While we managed to purchase additional land for expanding the enclosures, we were unable to obtain government approval for the necessary infrastructure in the short term. This leaves us with a critical question: what is best for all our bears?

The Difficult Decision

Our older bears, Mimi and Uli, have traumatic pasts and are unsuitable for relocation. Mimi was stolen from the wild as a young cub and confined for years in a concrete cage, while Uli was forced to perform as a dancing bear on an electric plate before enduring similarly horrific conditions. Sandra and her brother Tishka also have difficult histories and deserve the peace and security they’ve found here.

As a result, we decided to rehome Nanuq and Malenky, who are young and resilient. Through Koen Cuyten of Bears in Mind, we connected with Wildwood Devon in England. There, a wonderful opportunity awaits: the cubs will be introduced to Mish and Lucy, a sibling pair of European brown bears. This new environment will provide them with the space and opportunities we, regrettably, cannot offer.

What About Sandra?

We understand that some may find it hard to hear about the cubs being moved. The idea of Sandra ‘losing’ her young can be emotionally challenging. However, the behavior of wild bears and Sandra’s specific circumstances provide a different perspective:

In the wild, brown bear cubs naturally become independent around this age. They typically stay with their mother for about 1.5 years, after which they seek out their own territory. Mothers often allow this process deliberately, focusing on their own well-being and potential future offspring.

With Sandra, we’ve already observed this natural progression. She spends increasing amounts of time alone, while Nanuq and Malenky grow more independent. A temporary separation, which was necessary for Sandra’s medical treatment, also contributed to this natural distancing. These signs indicate that both mother and cubs are ready for the next phase in their lives.

Sandra has proven herself to be a strong bear, adapting to new situations time and again. We are confident that, in the calm and safety of De Zonnegloed, she will quickly adjust to this new chapter. For her, this is a natural and logical transition, no matter how emotional it may seem to us humans.

A New Future for Nanuq and Malenky

Although we would have loved to keep Nanuq and Malenky with us, we are grateful that they have a bright future ahead at Wildwood Devon. There, they will receive the space, care, and social interactions they deserve.

This decision was far from easy, but our primary goal remains the well-being of the animals. We are thankful to organizations like Bears in Mind and Wildwood Devon for helping us provide these young bears with the best possible opportunities.

We will continue to follow Nanuq and Malenky’s journey and share updates about their new lives.