Joe Robertson MP has stepped in to support a remarkable rescue mission, helping to overcome government red tape and clear the way for two brown bears - Balu and Benji to be rehomed at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary on the Isle of Wight.
The Sanctuary, based on the Island, has been working tirelessly to bring the two bears from Azerbaijan, where they have been kept in poor conditions. After hearing about the Sanctuary’s ambitious rescue plans during a meeting last winter with Sanctuary Director Lawrence Bates, Joe was deeply moved but concerned to later learn the mission risked stalling due to bureaucratic delays and unexpected costs.
Determined not to let the bears' new beginning slip away, Joe raised the issue directly with DEFRA Minister Susan Hayman. Thanks to his intervention, the Minister was persuaded to allow Balu and Benji to land in Scotland and travel directly to their new Island home - a critical breakthrough that brings the bears' journey much closer to completion.
Joe Robertson said: "After meeting with Lawrence at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary last winter to hear their plans to rescue and rehome 2 beautiful brown bears from Azerbaijan, I was concerned to later learn that it all might be derailed by red tape and additional cost.
I took up the issue in person with DEFRA Minister Susan Hayman, and she appears to be persuaded to let the bears land in Scotland and come straight to the Island which Lawrence and the team have been planning for.
Fingers crossed that Balu and Benji will be in their wonderful new home on the Island very soon."
