New Life for the First Rescued Animals from the Former Luján Zoo
02.03.2026 | from FOUR PAWS - Foundation for Animal Welfare
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Image rights: VIER PFOTEN - Stiftung für Tierschutz
02.03.2026, Buenos Aires/Zurich, 2 March 2026 – The global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has successfully relocated the first animals from the former Luján Zoo in Argentina to safe shelters. The brown bears Gordo and Florencia, along with the tigress Flora, were flown to Europe on 23 February. The bears now reside in the BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa in Bulgaria, while Flora has arrived at the FELIDA Big Cat Centre in the Netherlands.
A veterinary examination in November 2025 revealed that all three animals urgently needed help. The bears lived in extremely cramped and inadequate conditions. The 17-year-old Florencia spent her life in a small concrete cage with a shallow water basin. The 16-year-old Gordo had it even worse: severely overweight at 350 kilograms and unusually large, he was confined to a tiny cage and was not allowed to use his outdoor area due to safety concerns.
The ten-year-old tigress Flora suffered from ingrown claws and a damaged tooth, both of which required surgical treatment. 'Flora's ingrown claws had caused her severe pain for months, making it difficult for her to stand and walk. After the emergency surgery, she visibly relaxed and enjoyed her outdoor area,' reported Dr. Amir Khalil, the veterinarian leading the FOUR PAWS emergency mission at the former Luján Zoo.
Symbol of Positive Changes in Argentine Animal Welfare
The relocation of the two bears and the tigress is a significant achievement, made possible by the dedication of the FOUR PAWS team and close cooperation with the Argentine authorities. 'After months of intensive work, it is a fantastic success to send the first animals on their way to a new life. They now stand as a symbol of positive changes in animal welfare in Argentina,' said Luciana D’Abramo, Chief Programme Officer of FOUR PAWS, who welcomed the bears in Bulgaria.
FOUR PAWS is now working to find safe and appropriate accommodations for the over 60 remaining big cats from the former zoo. The emergency mission is part of an agreement with the Argentine government aimed at ending the private keeping and trade of big cats in the long term.
Background Information
BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa
The BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa is located in western Bulgaria and has been operated by FOUR PAWS in cooperation with the Fondation Brigitte Bardot since 2000. The currently 19 brown bears live on twelve hectares of natural habitat. Many of them were former dancing bears from Bulgaria, Serbia, and Albania. The sanctuary also provides a suitable home and specialised care for bears rescued from other inadequate conditions, such as Gordo and Florencia.
FELIDA Big Cat Centre
The Dutch FELIDA Big Cat Centre is one of 13 worldwide wildlife projects by FOUR PAWS for rescued wild animals. It offers specialised protection and a home for traumatised big cats that lived under inadequate conditions in zoos, circuses, or private holdings. Animals requiring lifelong intensive and special care remain permanently at FELIDA.
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FOUR PAWS - Foundation for Animal Welfare
FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, recognising grievances, rescuing animals in need, and protecting them. Founded in 1988 by Heli Dungler and friends in Vienna, the organisation advocates for a world in which humans treat animals with respect, compassion, and understanding. Its sustainable campaigns and projects focus on stray dogs and cats, as well as companion, farm, and wild animals – such as bears, big cats, and orangutans – from inadequate housing and disaster and conflict zones.
With offices in Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Great Britain, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the USA, and Vietnam, and animal shelters in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS ensures prompt assistance and long-term solutions. In Switzerland, the animal welfare foundation is a cooperative partner of Arosa Bear Land, the first bear protection centre offering rescued bears from poor conditions a species-appropriate home.
Note: The "About Us" text is taken from public sources or from the company profile on HELP.ch.
Source: FOUR PAWS - Foundation for Animal Welfare, Press release
Original article published on: Neues Leben für die ersten geretteten Tiere aus dem ehemaligen Zoo Luján