Two Brown Bears and a Tigress Are the First Animals Rescued From Former Zoo Luján

• Brown bears Gordo and Florencia, and tigress Flora, have been relocated from former Zoo Luján to Bulgaria and the Netherlands as a high priority to ensure their mental and physical recovery.
• Transported via plane on 23 February, the animals arrived safely at their new homes, BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa and FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, a day later.
• FOUR PAWS is now working on solutions for the over 60 remaining big cats from the former zoo.

Vienna/Buenos Aires, 26 February 2026 – Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has begun relocating animals as part of its emergency mission at the former Zoo Luján in Argentina. The first animals that were moved out of the zoo are two brown bears, Gordo and Florencia, and a tigress named Flora. The bears have now arrived at BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa in Bulgaria, which FOUR PAWS operates together with Fondation Brigitte Bardot. Tigress Flora has been transferred to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands. Their relocation follows a veterinary assessment in November 2025, which found that all three animals required immediate attention.

Both bears were kept in conditions far below acceptable welfare standards. 17-year-old Florencia lived in a small concrete enclosure with a shallow pool, while 16-year-old Gordo had it even worse: Severely obese at 350 kilograms and exceptionally large, he was confined to a tiny cage and unable to access his outdoor area, due to concerns he might escape. During the veterinary mission in November, the FOUR PAWS experts microchipped, vaccinated and dewormed all examined animals. Ten‑year‑old Flora underwent surgery to address severely ingrown claws, and the FOUR PAWS vets also extracted a broken canine tooth. The teams at BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa and FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary will continue tailored care for their newest residents.

“The relocation of Gordo, Florencia, and Flora marks a major step forward, made possible by the dedication of our FOUR PAWS team and strong cooperation with the Argentine authorities. Sending the first animals on their journey to a new life is a fantastic achievement after months of tireless work. These animals now stand as symbols of positive change for animal protection in Argentina. But there is more to do. Our focus now shifts to the many other big cats still at the former Zoo Luján. Despite temporary improvements, their current conditions remain wholly unsuitable, and we are working at full speed to secure species-appropriate futures for them as well,” says FOUR PAWS Chief Programme Officer Luciana D’Abramo, who welcomed the bears in Bulgaria.

FOUR PAWS has concluded the first phase of its emergency mission at the former Zoo Luján in Argentina, which has been closed since 2020, completing a large-scale veterinary assessment in November 2025. In under a month, a team of wildlife veterinarians and experts examined over 60 big cats and two bears. It was the largest operation of its kind in Latin America within such a short period of time. Easing the animal welfare emergency at the former Zoo Luján is the first step in implementing a Memorandum of Understanding between FOUR PAWS and the Argentine government, which aims to end private keeping and commercial trade of big cats in the country.

Background Information

BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa 

BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa is located in Western Bulgaria and run by FOUR PAWS in cooperation with Fondation Brigitte Bardot since 2000. Most of the 19 brown bears that currently live on twelve hectares of natural surroundings were former dancing bears from Bulgaria, Serbia and Albania. The sanctuary also provides a species-appropriate home and specialised care for bears rescued from other forms of inappropriate keeping, like Gordo and Florencia.

FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary 

A home for rescued big cats, FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands, is one of 13 wild animal sanctuaries and cooperation projects FOUR PAWS has established worldwide for rescued wild animals. The sanctuary provides specialised care and a home for rescued and traumatised big cats that were kept in inadequate conditions in zoos, circuses or private captivity. Animals that need lifelong intensive and special care stay at FELIDA.