Mimi’s Dental Surgery

This week, our bear Mimi underwent an extensive dental procedure. She was under anesthesia for an incredible 5.5 hours, during which six teeth were fully extracted. This complex operation was absolutely necessary to relieve her pain and safeguard her health. Her companion, Uli, will also require surgery after the winter rest due to similar issues.

We want to emphasize that the care of our animals is always our top priority, no matter the cost. However, your support would be invaluable in helping to cover the high costs of these essential treatments.

Why Were the Dental Problems Only Discovered Recently?

Dental problems in bears are often hidden and hard to detect. Like many wild animals, bears instinctively conceal pain, as showing weakness in the wild could threaten their survival. Even with severe dental issues, they usually continue eating and behaving normally, thanks to their powerful jaws and natural resilience. This means their pain and damage often go unnoticed without a specialized examination.

For Mimi and Uli, the problem came to light after we discovered similar dental issues in Sandra, another bear in our care. Sandra was rescued from a Ukrainian zoo, and a routine check revealed severe dental damage, likely caused by biting on cage bars. This prompted us to conduct thorough checks on other bears in our sanctuary, including Mimi and Uli.

Our animals carry the consequences of their past with them for life. Mimi, for example, spent years in a small concrete cage with no enrichment or care before her rescue. Given her history, we strongly suspected she might have hidden dental problems, and unfortunately, the examination confirmed significant damage.

Why Is Dental Care So Important?

Although bears may not show obvious signs of pain, dental issues can cause significant discomfort and lead to serious health risks. Damaged teeth can result in:

  • Infections, which can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.
  • Chronic pain, which negatively affects the bears' well-being and behavior.
  • Long-term health problems, which worsen without timely treatment.

The dental damage in Mimi and Uli reflects the poor conditions they endured before their rescue. Mimi and Uli joined our sanctuary in 2018, and since then, we have provided them with the best possible care and living environment. However, the effects of their traumatic past—such as their dental issues—can surface years later. This is why we chose to intervene now, ensuring they receive the specialized care they need. Preventive examinations like these are vital to addressing hidden problems early and guaranteeing their long-term well-being.

Why Are the Costs So High?

Caring for rescued bears like Mimi and Uli requires highly specialized expertise. A significant portion of the expenses goes toward:

  • A wildlife dentist and anesthetist, experts who travel across Europe to provide this type of care because very few specialists are qualified for these procedures.
  • Travel and accommodation costs, as these professionals visit our sanctuary to perform the surgeries on-site.
  • Specialized equipment and materials, which are essential for such complex operations.

The combined cost for Mimi and Uli’s procedures is approximately €7,000. While this is a considerable sum, it is essential to ensure they can live a healthy and pain-free life.

How You Can Help

Although Mimi’s surgery has already been successfully completed and Uli’s is scheduled soon, we are asking for your support to help cover the high costs of these treatments. Their care will continue regardless, but your contribution makes it possible for us to sustain this work and provide other animals with a second chance as well.

Donate today via this link or through our bank account: BE58 7390 1329 6879, using the message “Mimi and Uli.”

Thanks to your support, we can continue to invest in the well-being of Mimi, Uli, and all the other rescued animals in our care. On behalf of our bears and the entire team: thank you for your help!

Every Donation Helps Our Bears—and Other Animals

The donations we receive through this campaign are specifically earmarked for Mimi and Uli’s medical care. We aim to raise approximately €7,000 to cover both operations.

What Happens If We Reach Our Goal?

If we reach the €7,000 goal, we will notify everyone through our channels. Any additional donations beyond this amount will be used to support our other animals, including:

  • Medical care.
  • Food and enrichment.
  • Sanctuary maintenance.

We’ll keep you updated on the progress and results of this campaign so you can see exactly how your support makes a difference.

On behalf of Mimi, Uli, and all our animals: thank you!