Bears are powerful, beautiful creatures that are meant to live wild and free—not trapped behind bars for human amusement. The heartbreaking story of two brown bears, Misha and Dasha, serves as a painful reminder of the cruelty animals can suffer in captivity, but also the hope that comes with compassion and perseverance.
For ten long years, Misha and Dasha lived in harsh conditions outside a restaurant in Armenia. Confined to a tiny metal cage, they were nothing more than a roadside attraction, placed there to draw in tourists. With no room to move freely and nothing to keep them mentally or physically stimulated, they developed repetitive, desperate behaviors. They would endlessly pace in circles, claw at the bars, and sometimes slam their heads against the cage—clear signs of extreme distress and suffering.
Their living situation was not only inhumane but also dangerous. Their cage sat dangerously close to a river, and at one point, severe flooding nearly cost them their lives. When water levels rose alarmingly high one year, the helpless bears were trapped in their enclosure with no way out. They came terrifyingly close to drowning. It was only through the efforts of a rescue team that they were saved. “The river flooded, and the bears almost drowned,” explained Lis Key, from International Animal Rescue (IAR). “The team had to cut open the cages to get them out. It was a life-threatening situation.”
Determined to give these bears a better life, IAR partnered with the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) and spent years negotiating for their release. Their dedication and persistence finally paid off. Armed with equipment and a mission to set them free, rescuers returned to the site and cut through the cage that had been their prison for a decade.
Once freed, the bears were sedated and transported to a sanctuary in the mountains—a safe, natural environment where they could finally live as they were meant to. It was there that the healing truly began. For the first time, Misha and Dasha could walk freely, explore their surroundings, and simply enjoy being bears again.
As winter arrived, they found a cozy cave and began to hibernate. But when spring came, rescuers were in for a surprise. Dasha had given birth to two cubs. No one had known she was pregnant when she was rescued. “She was given everything she needed—lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and honey—to prepare for hibernation,” said Vicky Mkrtchyan, environmental projects coordinator at FPWC. “But we never guessed her increased appetite was because she was expecting.”
The once-suffering Dasha had become a mother, gently caring for and fiercely protecting her two babies. It was a stunning transformation. After years spent behind cold steel bars, she now had a family of her own, safe in a sanctuary where she could nurture her cubs without fear. “It was already heartwarming to see her show interest in life again,” Mkrtchyan said. “But seeing her with her cubs—it’s simply beautiful. From a cage to motherhood, it’s a powerful image of healing and hope.”
Misha and Dasha’s story is not just about escape—it’s about survival, resilience, and the power of kindness. Thanks to the tireless work of the organizations and individuals who refused to give up on them, these bears now have the life they deserve. Dasha and her cubs are thriving, and Misha is finally free from the torment of his past.
Their journey is a powerful reminder that animals are not ours to use for entertainment. Every creature deserves respect, safety, and a chance to live freely. Thanks to those who fought for their rescue, these bears have a future filled with peace, not pain.
