Etihad Airways has helped transport two rescued brown bears from Russia to their new home in Ireland.
Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, helped transport the two brown bears from Dagestan to their new home at Wild Ireland, a wildlife sanctuary in County Donegal.
Bu, a former circus bear and Tyapa who came from a petting zoo, where rescuers reported that he was being raised to be killed for taxidermy, spent years living in poor conditions.
Tyapa had spent his entire life in a tiny cage measuring just 2.5 metres by 2.5 metres, with a roof so low he couldn’t even stand upright. Exposed to Dagestan’s scorching summers and freezing winters, he had no shelter from the elements and not even a bowl of drinking water, relying instead on a hose whenever carers were able to reach him.
Saving The Broken Bears of Vietnam’s Last Bile Farms Bu’s life had been equally miserable. Forced to perform in a circus, she was eventually surrendered to Right to Life Sanctuary in Dagestan, where she spent years confined to a small indoor cage, also with limited access to water.
Recognising that she couldn’t give the brown bears the care and space they desperately needed, the sanctuary’s owner reached out to Killian through Bears in Mind, a Dutch charity he had previously worked with. Killian agreed to take both brown bears to Wild Ireland, where they would finally have the chance of a better life.
A New Forever Home
The arrival of the town brown bears in Ireland marks the successful conclusion of a complex international rescue effort led by Killian McLaughlin, Founder and Director of Wild Ireland, involving more than 100 people across multiple countries.
With no direct flights between Russia and the EU due to the war, Killian sought an alternative route through the Middle East.
This required permission for the bears to leave Russia, transit through the UAE and enter Ireland. Then conflict involving Iran escalated on 28 February 2026 and disruption to flights across the region created another obstacle.
In June 2026, Intradco Global and Etihad Cargo joined the rescue mission. Intradco provided its specialist animal transport services free of charge, while Etihad Cargo agreed to fly the bears from Moscow through its Abu Dhabi hub and onwards to Dublin. Teams at Zayed International Airport helped coordinate the bears’ arrival, handling and transfer between flights.
‘Their physical condition has improved, but they need time to adjust to the forest. Things we might expect a bear to enjoy can frighten them because they have never had the chance to experience them before.
Killian McLaughlin, Founder and Director of Wild Ireland
Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad, said: ‘We believe our global network and expertise can play a meaningful role in supporting wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
‘Bu and Tyapa’s rescue is a powerful example of how collaboration can give animals a second chance at life. We are proud to have supported this remarkable mission alongside our partners, demonstrating that what we do goes beyond connecting markets to making a positive difference.’
The bears, who have now been at the sanctuary for two months, are adapting to their natural surroundings and showing encouraging signs of recovery. Their habitat includes woodland, water and space to explore, alongside smaller houses where they can retreat. The dense forest also allows them to move away from visitor viewing areas whenever they choose.
‘Their physical condition has improved, but they need time to adjust to the forest,’ said Killian. ‘Things we might expect a bear to enjoy can frighten them because they have never had the chance to experience them before.
‘We have experience rehabilitating rescued animals, and we will work at their pace. If they want to spend time in their smaller houses, that’s okay too. It is all part of their rehabilitation. Our job is to give them what they need to feel safe.
After five years of challenges, seeing Bu and Tyapa finally reach their new home is incredibly rewarding. This rescue would not have been possible without the kindness, determination and collaboration of people across multiple countries. Together, we have given these bears the chance of a better life.’
Documenting the Brown Bears
Abu Dhabi-based Moondance Productions has been documenting the rescue from the beginning, with director Shane Brennan closely following the operation as it unfolded.
‘Watching Killian, Etihad Cargo and so many international partners come together to give two neglected bears a second chance has filled me with real hope in an age that can often feel increasingly bleak,’ said Sean.
‘As filmmakers, it has been both a privilege and a passion to capture this extraordinary journey across continents.’
The company previously made Return of the Wild: The Bearman of Buncrana, which chronicled the development of Wild Ireland and reached audiences in Ireland and internationally through RTÉ, Netflix, Apple TV, international airlines’ in-flight entertainment and other networks.
This new documentary is expected to be released in 2027.
