Bliss: Dominga Is Home
Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Animal Defenders International (ADI)
February 2017

As we opened the door to her new world, she raced into the undergrowth. She explored, tasted the soil, tasted plants, and she climbed right to the top of the perimeter fence of her new enclosure. Her joy was clear to see, it was a wonderful moment.

dominga bear rescue

Our epic journey over the Andes mountains and along the Madre de Dios River ended with bald spectacled bear Dominga back in the forest – her natural home.

You can watch the final stage of Dominga’s journey and her first exploration of her ADI enclosure – her journey and enclosure all possible thanks to our supporters.

4 a.m. on Sunday - we begin the move for Dominga, the lonely bear who has spent years alone in a small zoo in the mountains of Peru. Torn form the wild as a cub, she had lost almost all her fur a few years ago, after her sister died.

Our ADI veterinary team anesthetised Dominga, trimmed her nails, did a range of tests, and massaged cream into her skin to help its condition and treat a fungus infection. She must be feeling more comfortable than she has in years.

But just a few hours into our journey to her new home, we had a setback when the truck carrying Dominga broke down. For three hours we were stranded on a mountain waiting for a replacement – I kept feeding Dominga her favorite grapes to keep her happy. A new truck arrived and we pressed on with much of the journey through torrential rain.

For our final leg, we hauled Dominga’s crate onto a small wooden boat and two hours later we released her into her new home.

As we opened the door to her new world, she raced into the undergrowth. She explored, tasted the soil, tasted plants, and she climbed right to the top of the perimeter fence of her new enclosure. Her joy was clear to see, it was a wonderful moment.

dominga bear rescue

A huge thank you to everyone who made this latest ADI rescue possible. Dominga would have died alone, in the little zoo, without your help.

Please remember, we must now continue to care for our bears Dominga, Cholita, Lucho and Sabina for life – around $13,000 per year for basic feeding and care.

Please help Dominga continue to enjoy her wonderful new life with a donation - Animal Defenders International (ADI).

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