Back To The Wild: Celebrating Rescued Bears Challo & Lexi’s Return To Freedom

On December 4th, World Conservation Day, International Animal Rescue (IAR) celebrated a monumental achievement—the release of two Syrian Brown Bears, Challo and Lexi, back into their natural habitat in the Armenian mountains. This moment, made possible by the incredible efforts of IAR and their dedicated partner, the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), marked the start of a new life for the two bears, who had once been abandoned, injured, and in desperate need of care.

Challo and Lexi’s journey to freedom began years ago when they were found as helpless cubs on an Armenian hillside. Challo had been trapped in a wire snare, vulnerable to the searing summer heat. Had IAR and FPWC not intervened, he would have likely perished. After receiving immediate treatment for heatstroke and his injuries, Challo was rushed to the FPWC wildlife center in Urtsadzor for further care. Lexi’s rescue was equally heart-wrenching—found crying while clinging to the branches of a tree, alone and without her mother, she was also brought to the center to begin her rehabilitation.

Both bears underwent extensive recovery, with minimal human contact to ensure they retained their wild instincts. Through careful observation, environmental enrichment, and rehabilitation, Challo and Lexi regained their natural behaviors. Their transformation culminated in their release back into the wild, where they eagerly explored their new environment—sniffing the air, climbing trees, and bounding through the wilderness. Finally, they were free.

“Releasing Challo and Lexi back into the wild is a powerful reminder of why conservation efforts matter. These bears, once symbols of suffering, now embody hope and resilience. Thanks to the support of our donors and partners, they are free to live as nature intended. Watching them thrive in the mountains was an emotional moment and a reminder that together we can achieve incredible outcomes,” said Alan Knight OBE, Chief Executive of IAR, while sharing the significance of the release.

This release was not just a victory for Challo and Lexi—it also underscored the ongoing need for conservation efforts in Armenia. Sadly, many Syrian Brown Bears in the region still suffer in captivity, confined to small cages at restaurants, factories, and roadside zoos. Many of these bears show severe psychological trauma from years of neglect. Since 2017, IAR and FPWC’s Great Bear Rescue campaign has saved over 30 bears, providing them with compassionate care and the opportunity to return to the wild when possible.

Challo and Lexi’s release was built on previous successes, including the groundbreaking release of orphaned cubs Bambak and Zangak in 2018, who have thrived in the wild thanks to IAR’s rehabilitation program. Their success stories serve as proof that IAR’s rehabilitation efforts are effective in returning bears to their natural habitat, where they can live freely without fear.

IAR has called on the global community to reflect on the importance of conservation and to join the fight to end the suffering of Armenia’s captive bears. Every year, the organization works tirelessly to rescue bears like Challo and Lexi, offering them a second chance at life.

IAR’s work, supported by generous donors and partners, remains a beacon of hope for bears in need. By contributing or sharing their stories on social media, you can help fund vital rescue operations, veterinary care, rehabilitation, and releases, ensuring that more bears like Challo and Lexi can have their own chance at freedom.

Together, we can help ensure that every bear has the opportunity to live freely and naturally, just as nature intended. Please consider donating to IAR HERE!