Such a sweet update from The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado! Two rescued bears who were taken in by the sanctuary several months ago are now thriving in their new home.
Ben and Bogey were rescued after PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) filed a lawsuit against a roadside zoo in North Carolina and it’s horrific living conditions. The unaccredited zoo kept these bears living in filth and squalor while neglecting their many medical needs.

Bogey the bear was forced to live in a small cage at a roadside zoo before she was rescued.
Locked all alone in a small cage at the zoo, sweet Bogey the bear paced incessantly back and forth, obsessively licked her paw, and bit at the bars of her cage. These are all signs of extreme psychological distress in captive animals. Meanwhile, darling Ben the bear had untreated facial lesions that left him with scarring on both corneas, and suffered from painful arthritis that prevented him from walking well. As the lawsuit dragged on, the zoo owners finally admitted that they were unable to care for the bears properly, and agreed to release them to sanctuary.
Once the two bears were transported to Colorado, they could finally get the much-needed medical care that they required. The most urgent priority was Ben, who was suffering from severe lesions on his eyes, nose, and mouth. The veterinary team had to perform several intensive medical treatments just to get Ben’s medical situation under control. Although Ben is finally doing much better, the damage to his eyes was so significant that his corneas were permanently scarred and his vision is likely impaired.

Bogey the bear now enjoys her new life at The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado.
Recently, PETA checked in on the bears to see how they were doing in their new sanctuary home. As you can see in the video above, these lovable bears have left pain and sorrow behind them, and are now living their best lives! Darling Ben receives expert veterinary treatment and is able to splash and play in a pond and explore and forage in the grass. Sweet Bogey no longer shows any signs of discomfort or distress. Instead, she swims and plays, and even bobs for apples at her leisure.
If the zoo tries to imprison any more bears in the future PETA can take them back to court, so hopefully the tourist attraction will not try that again. It’s so wonderful to see sweet Bogey and darling Ben are finally happy and healthy at their forever home in Colorado!
Thank you to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado! A true sanctuary for bears and exotic cats!
There should be much stricter legislation surrounding the keeping of wild animals. There should be minimum requirements for their wellbeing, for example space, stimulus, etc. and regular medical checks and certificates. Only then will cases like this not recur.
I am so grateful for the loving and kind care these precious bear are now receiving. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. There was a bear in a concrete pit in Colorado that I tried to help save. I never learned if it was taken out of that pit but it was not fed unless tourists threw something down to it. I cried as I do today for animals that are treated cruelly by humans. Keep helping defenseless animals.
Wonderful news!
I have heard about the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, it’s a wonderful place. They allow visitors to the sanctuary, but the public is not allowed any contact with the animals. Visitors walk on this long bridge and observe the animals from afar, how it should be.
Skylar, you said it well. This is exactly how it should be! Most humans don’t deserve the privilege to come into contact with the majestic animals of this planet.
Yay!!!
What a wonderful update regarding Ben and Bogey. What a difference a year, concerned people, love and compassion (along with activism) and a new home can make.
Love these uplifting videos!
PLEASE STOP GRATIFYING THESE GREEDY BARBARIC TORTURES BY PATRONIZING THESE BRUTAL
ENSLAVEMENT S. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO DO THE SAME, THE FURBABIES
THANK-YOU AND SO DO I.
Good job — to all who rescued these 2 wonderful bears — thank God we have a Sanctuary for them — as is obvious, they are happy and thriving — THANK YOU TO ALL WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN – this is a life-affirming decision to take them out of Hell and into a paradise.
Oh, this is such a wonderful story and I am glad to see that the bears are enjoying their new surroundings. While I thank PETA for exposing their horrible plight, I am troubled by an earlier comment that stated PETA also “kill thousands of dogs in shelters every year, and have even been caught stealing pets off of people’s property and EUTHANIZING them.” I will check this out via the website provided in the comment (www.petakillsanimals.com) to see if this is credible info and any other site I deem reputable. If this turns out to be true, I will no longer support PETA and will unsubscribe to getting their emails.
Fabulous news.
If only PETA didn’t kill thousands of animals for every handful that they save.. Wish I could say this wasn’t the case.. They kill thousands of dogs in shelters every year, and have even been caught stealing pets off of people’s property and EUTHANIZING them. It is all public info..
https://www.petakillsanimals.com/
I only see photos of Bogey. Are there no photos of Ben? Thanks.
Ben and Bogey are both in the video at the very top of the article.
This made me cry. So happy for them !!!
Wonderful !
Thanku to everybody who helped to save Bogey and Ben. I am so happy that they have gone to live in furever home. 🐻🐻
I’m so glad to hear this. Well done to all those who who have helped Bogey.
So happy for tbese beauties!!!
Wonderful news! Thank you very very much.