Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/bears-rescued-from-worlds-worst-zoo/

The Marghazar Zoo in Pakistan has been called the “world’s worst zoo.” After years of campaigning to get it to shut down, animal rights activists were glad to see that finally happen.

Since its closure, activists have been busy trying to get the animals out of their awful enclosures and on to better lives.

Recently, the zoo made news when the 36-year-old elephant, Kaavan, finally was relocated to a brighter future in the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary in Siem Reap. The lonely elephant had been on his own for years but since his move, has managed to make a friend.

Following in Kaavan’s footsteps are Bubloo and Suzie. After years of being forced to dance at the Marghazar Zoo, these two Himalayan brown bears are about to embark on a quest for happily ever after. Both Bubloo and Suzie will be making the journey from Pakistan to Jordan, where they’ll be looked after by the Princess Alia Foundation.

Both bears are 17 years old and had been at the zoo since 2007. For years, they were subjected to unimaginable cruelty as they were constantly being forced to perform dances. In addition to being beaten into dancing, the poor animals had their teeth removed in order to prevent them from being able to defend themselves against the abuse.

Their desperate conditions began to emerge after Suzie was given surgery to remove a tumor but ended up with an open chest wound that became infected after surgeons failed to properly close her chest. The bear ended up needing medical assistance from overseas.

While Suzie was being treated, Bubloo was fighting his own medical issues after he developed a dental abscess. The pain was causing the poor bear to act out aggressively, something that is not typical behavior for Himalayan bears.

According to The Daily Mail, Dr. Amir Khalil of Four Paws, the animal welfare group that got the zoo shut down, shared that both Suzie and Bubloo were displaying classic signs of long-term abuse – this included the behavior of rocking back and forth. The poor animals are the last two to be rescued from the zoo but they’re now being flown to a better life in Jordon.

As The Daily Mail reported, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s ministry of climate change said to AFP that the zoo is now permanently closed to, “both public and officials” – something that must make animal welfare activists thrilled!

We can only hope that Suzie and Bubloo finally receive the love and happiness that they deserve in their new home.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog