Bear cubs stay with their mothers for about eighteen months. Orphans have very little chance of surviving on their own. Biologist Valentin Pazhetnov dedicated his life to saving orphaned bear cubs and reintroducing them back into the wilderness. Valentin rescued and raised more than 250 bears in his Orphan Bear Rescue Centre. Specialists in the centre provide baby bears round-the-clock care but avoid bonding with them. «The main thing about our method is to preserve their fear of humans,» Valentin said. The centre, which Valentin’s son and grandson now run, is considered a world leader in bear rehabilitation. In June 2021, Valentin tragically died at the age of 84.
Bear with Me