A rescued former circus bear due to travel from Ukraine to a Romanian sanctuary has been left stranded by Putin’s invasion.
Masha the Eurasian brown bear is being cared for at a temporary shelter in Sambir, South of Lviv, in Western Ukraine.
This week she was set to be transported 140 miles south to the Romanian border and to a new life at the country’s Libearty Bear Sanctuary.
But Russian troop build ups shut the borders before the illegal invasion began on Thursday.
And now Masha, who spent 19 years of her life in a tiny cage and performing in circuses, is unable to reach her well-deserved retirement.
Despite the mounting threat of war animal charity director Lionel de Lange, from Warriors of Wildlife, flew into Ukraine from his native South Africa on Tuesday last week to oversee Masha’s rescue.
Lionel has lived in Ukraine for the past 11 years rescuing bears and big cats from captivity and transporting them to better lives in sanctuaries in Europe and South Africa.
As war broke out Lionel was forced to evacuate from his home in Kherson in the south of Ukraine close to the Russian-occupied Crimea border. He managed to drive 100 miles to Odessa and cross the border into Moldova.
Masha the bear when she arrived at her temporary rescue home in Ukraine back in 2018
Masha the bear in a cage she used to be kept in when she was made to perform at a circus
Masha the bear when she was forced to perform in a circus and ride a tricycle on stage
But incredibly despite the danger Lionel says he will go back into Ukraine as soon as the borders are open to bring Masha, now 22, to her new home.
Speaking from a hotel in Romania Lionel, 56, said Masha had plenty of food and was being well cared for.
He said: ‘Putin’s insane invasion of Ukraine has stopped Masha starting her new life in a sanctuary.
‘But that little tinpot dictator has another thing coming if he thinks we will leave her behind.
‘The brave Ukrainian people who are caring for her will keep her safe and she has plenty of food and shelter.
‘Masha is a Ukrainian bear and she’s been through a lot and if Putin thinks the Russian bear is tough, he should see the life she has had.
‘Like the Ukrainian people she won’t give up and we won’t give up getting her to a sanctuary where she can enjoy her final years.
‘Monday was her birthday and she was due to be relocated to start her new life but because of Putin everything is gone.’
Masha the bear on Monday at a temporary shelter in Sambir, South of Lviv, in Western Ukraine
Bear Masha was set to be transported 140 miles south to the Romanian border and to a new life
Lionel, whose wife Anya is Ukrainian, said he didn’t think Russia would be so stupid as to invade Ukraine and that Masha’s relocation would go ahead as normal this week.
He said: ‘Everybody was ready to go, all her documents were ready and we were going to start moving her.
‘By EU law the vehicle to transport Masha had to come from the European side but the borders are closed now so they can’t come in.
‘Refugees can escape but Masha cannot go with them without a transport being allowed to cross over.
‘She is 140 miles north of the Romanian border but only 24 miles east of Poland and if we could get her into Poland we might be able to take her south.
‘We have travel permits valid until May 20 and as soon as the borders open I will travel back and get her onto a European Union registered vehicle and get her across.’
After arriving in Ukraine on Tuesday last week Lionel said he feels guilty now leaving his home behind.
He said: ‘I lay in bed last night in my hotel and I felt guilty because I had left, I had left friends behind in a place that has been my home for the past 11 years.
‘When war started I thought, do I go fight for Ukraine? What can I do? They wouldn’t give me a weapon but I felt so guilty leaving.
‘Anya’s grandmother and grandfather are still there but they wouldn’t leave.
‘Putin doesn’t realise even if he topples the Ukrainian government and he puts in a puppet regime he’s still going to have a hell of a fight on his hands.
‘The Ukrainian people’s patriotism and love for their country and the hate they have for Putin means there are going to be battles every step of the way, there will be fighting in the streets and the Ukrainians will never ever give up.
‘The people of Ukraine will be biting at the Russian heels all day every day for as long as this insane war carries on.’
Warriors of Wildlife (WoW) has rescued dozens of bears and big cats and other animals from private captivity and circuses in Ukraine.
The charity takes the lions and other big cats rescued to their Simbonga Sanctuary close to Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Bears are relocated elsewhere to sanctuaries in Europe.
To donate towards Masha’s rescue and others visit the charity’s website:https://www.wowukraine.org/
