Two Brown Bears Relocated from Argentina's Luján Zoo to Bulgarian Sanctuary

Two brown bears, Gordo, aged 17, and Florencia, aged 18, are currently being transported from Argentina to Europe following a complex international animal welfare operation managed by the global organization FOUR PAWS. The relocation follows the 2020 closure of the Luján Zoo, which ceased public operations amid mounting safety and welfare concerns for its inhabitants.

The bears departed from Ezeiza after undergoing comprehensive veterinary assessments and specialized medical procedures, including necessary dental surgery for both animals. Gordo, the 17-year-old, was also placed on a strict dietary regimen to address obesity resulting from the substandard conditions at the former zoo. The Luján facility, which had been known for allowing visitor interaction with big cats, subsequently saw a significant decline in its remaining animal population, with reports indicating that one-third of the big cats died from neglect and preventable diseases in the years following its closure.

The transfer is part of an emergency mission formalized by a July 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between FOUR PAWS and the Argentine government. This mission involved health checks for 32 lions, 30 tigers, and the two bears, concluding its first phase on November 14, 2025. Veterinary teams, including experts such as Dr. Amir Khalil, addressed urgent medical issues like infections, kidney disease, and dental problems prior to the long-term placement planning.

Gordo and Florencia are destined for the BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa in Bulgaria, a facility established in partnership with the Brigitte Bardot Foundation since 2000. The sanctuary, located in the Rila Mountains approximately 180 kilometers south of Sofia, spans 120,000 square meters across seven enclosures designed to mimic natural habitats. While the sanctuary was initially created to house bears rescued from the traditional practice of 'dancing bears'—a practice FOUR PAWS helped abolish across Europe by 2017—the arrival of the Argentinian bears continues the facility’s core mission to secure appropriate permanent homes for animals suffering under direct human influence.

Upon arrival at Belitsa, the bears will enter a structured rehabilitation program focused on reintroducing natural behaviors, a critical step for animals confined for their entire lives, including the opportunity for natural hibernation. The sanctuary provides species-appropriate environments featuring dense forests, hills, ponds, and artificial dens, marking a definitive move for Gordo and Florencia from a site under judicial investigation for animal abuse to a protected haven.