Jambolina, an 11-year-old former circus bear, is starting her new life at a sanctuary in Switzerland after spending months confined to a tiny cage in the Ukraine.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Jambolina found herself trapped in an enclosure that was far too small for her. Relegated to the corner of her handler’s garage, she couldn’t even “stand upright or move around,” non-profit Four Paws International spokesperson Katharina Braun told Newsweek.
The nonprofit stepped in to help, teaming up with the Arosa Bear Sanctuary to plan Jambolina’s rescue and move the bear to her new home. Jambolina’s four-day journey through Poland, Germany, and Austria to reach Switzerland was no simple feat.
“We had to ensure Jambolina’s wellbeing at all times while a lot of paperwork and controls were needed for the logistical part of the transfer,” Barbara van Genne, International Head of Wild Animal Rescue and Advocacy at Four Paws, said in a press release.
After reaching Switzerland, Jambolina was transported to her final destination via an aerial cable car, then guided through the snow to her new home, where staff members cheered upon her arrival.
The bear, who has some health issues — including bad teeth and ailing claws — remains under observation for now. Van Genne hopes that Jambolina will regain some of the instinctive behaviors she lost during her life of captivity, including learning to search for food on her own.
Regardless of the hurdles she faces, one thing is certain: Jambolina will never endure cruel confinement again and will spend the rest of her life in the comfort and safety of a sanctuary.

Animals deserve the best treatment, just like any other human being. They need TLC and a roof over their heads………that’s not much to give a a beautiful creature. They are not food and most certainly doné belong to us. Nobody gave us the right to harm ,torture or kill the wonderful creatures, who feel just like us. Care for them and treat them with the respect that they deserve. They disn´t even ask to be brought into this world. Let´s do the best we can for them………..they sersrve it because they are not tropies, nor entertainers…….they are most certaunly not clows. Lives cannot be taken away because of fur or tusks. Animal also have families and many times when a mothe dies, so do the pups, Let´s do the right thing.
We Care about All Living Beings and how We Treat Them.
Kaiser Lexie and R
NAMASTE
Thanku for rescuing Jambolina and sending her to a sanctuary 🐻.
Agree.
Thanku for rescuing Jambolina 🐻.
Hooray for Jambolina and the kind people who saved her.
Thank goodness for these animal rescue organizations and sanctuaries that help animals. Imagine how many animals are in this situation around the world now.
I TRULY HAVE SO MUCH ‘RESPECT & HONOR” TOWARDS THIS “FOUR PAWS” International Animal rescue Organization. Without this Organization I just don’t know what would have happened to so many innocent animals lives who lived in sheer horror.
MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU ALL….THANK YOU & BLESS YOU ALL…
The money these people spend on their ” trophy” hunting, they should spend it more wisely. They have so much money they could be helping the homeless and leave the wild animals where they the belong, IN THE WILD, not hanging on their walls. Sick SOB.
When not in the ring, they spent their days imprisoned in tiny, dirty cages barely big enough for them to turn around in, waiting for their next performance. Laura and Masha have been rescued from the circus by SOS Zoo and Bear Rescue and The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation (LAEO), and will now move to their new home at Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Romania – run by The Millions of Friends Assosciated (AMP) and supported by World Animal Protection.
Such a feel good story. Thank you so much. Finally the bear is free!
God Bless this Bear
Tough laws on animal abuse. Animals need a voice. “Stop hurting us.” “We have feelings too.”
Animals are never to be used for entertainment no matter the excuses.
Heartwarming.
So glad this beautiful bear is starting a new life of freedom and care at the hands of loving people. Thank you so much to all involved in this great rescue.