Outlander actor Steven Cree opens bear sanctuary in Armenia; three rescued Syrian brown bears move from filthy cages to spacious habitats | World News

Outlander actor Steven Cree has opened the first phase of a new bear sanctuary in Armenia, giving rescued Syrian brown bears larger and more enriched habitats. Three bears, Aram, Nairi and Lola, have already moved into the sanctuary after being rescued from filthy cages at a Yerevan backyard in 2025. Developed by International Animal Rescue and Armenia’s Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets, the facility aims to provide long-term care for bears that cannot safely return to the wild. Further enclosures are still being built, with fundraising continuing to complete the sanctuary and support its rescued residents.

Steven Cree helps open new sanctuary for rescued Syrian brown bears

The first phase of the sanctuary in Ushi has already opened, with some rescued bears settling into larger, enriched habitats. The project is being developed by International Animal Rescue in partnership with Armenia’s Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC).Further enclosures still need to be completed before all of the rescued bears can be transferred there. International Animal Rescue is continuing to raise funds for the remaining work as well as the animals’ long-term care.The location also offers a different environment from the urban settings in which some of the bears were previously kept. The completed centre is intended to provide larger enclosures, enrichment and a cooler mountainous setting where the animals can display more natural behaviour.

Three bears rescued from a Yerevan backyard

Aram, Nairi and Lola are among the bears at the centre of the rescue work. The family was found in the grounds of a home in Yerevan, where they had been kept in filthy cages.International Animal Rescue said the bears had reportedly been bred for profit. Their previous surroundings offered little room for normal movement or behaviour, and the charity described their condition as particularly severe when the rescue took place.The three were rescued in 2025 and taken to the organisation’s rescue centre in Urtsadzor. There, they received veterinary care, better food and rehabilitation in larger enclosures while preparations continued for the new sanctuary.For Aram, Nairi and Lola, the move is part of a longer process rather than a simple change of address. Years of confinement mean that the bears require continued specialist care, and the new facility has been designed around providing space and enrichment over the long term.

PC: Bear Conservation

From concrete cages to larger habitats

International Animal Rescue has been working with FPWC on bear rescue in Armenia for years. The animals have included bears removed from restaurants, hotels and roadside zoos, where wild animals can be kept in confined conditions.The new sanctuary is intended to change that for the bears under the organisations’ care. Its enclosures are being built with more room and natural features, allowing the animals to move around, explore and engage in behaviours that were restricted in their former surroundings.For the bears already in phase one, that process has begun. Others remain at the existing rescue centre and will be moved when the remaining parts of the facility are ready.

Sanctuary gives rescued bears more space as construction continues in Armenia

Opening the first phase is a milestone for the project, but the full sanctuary is still some way from completion. More enclosures are required before the centre can accommodate all of the rescued bears planned for the site.International Animal Rescue said its teams are continuing work on those remaining stages while seeking financial support. The charity also expects the completed sanctuary to provide ongoing veterinary treatment, food, enrichment and care for the animals.For Aram, Nairi and Lola, the eventual move to the larger facility will mean more space than the backyard cages where they were found. Other rescued bears are expected to follow as construction progresses.