Two brown bears rescued from unsuitable conditions in Dagestan, Russia, have arrived at Wild Ireland, a wildlife sanctuary in County Donegal, after Etihad Cargo transported them from Moscow to Dublin via its Abu Dhabi hub.
Bu had spent years performing in a circus. Tyapa had been held at a petting zoo. Both arrived in Ireland on August 4, 2026, marking the end of a five-year rescue effort led by Killian McLaughlin, founder and director of Wild Ireland, which drew on the involvement of more than 100 people across multiple countries.
Etihad Cargo coordinated specialist live-animal handling and transit arrangements at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, working alongside Abu Dhabi Airports and logistics partner Velora. The airline holds IATA CEIV Live Animals certification, the industry standard for live animal transport.
“At Etihad Cargo, 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 have now moved into their new forest habitat at Wild Ireland in September, where they are showing encouraging signs of recovery and gradually adapting to their natural surroundings,” Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad said in a statement.
“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,” Killian McLaughlin, Founder and Director of Wild Ireland added.
The rescue is being documented by Abu Dhabi-based Moondance Productions, with a documentary chronicling the five-year mission expected to be released in 2027.
“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. As filmmakers, it has been both a privilege and a passion to capture this extraordinary journey across continents,” Shane Brennan, CEO of Moondance Productions further explained.
The bears moved into a forest habitat at Wild Ireland in September and are reported to be adapting well. Their journey is being documented by Abu Dhabi-based Moondance Productions, with a feature documentary expected for release in 2027.
