A young brown bear named Ricky, affectionately named after comedian Ricky Gervais, has been returned to the wild after an incredible journey of rescue and recovery in Armenia. Ricky's story is one of resilience, care, and the dedication of the Urtsadzor Wildlife Rescue Centre, which is managed by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) in partnership with International Animal Rescue (IAR).

The bear had been injured when hit by a vehicle late one night, but thanks to the quick response from FPWC and the RA Ministry, Ricky was brought to the Urtsadzor Wildlife Rescue Centre for treatment. Under the attentive care of FPWC vet Harutyun Hovhannisyan, Ricky received the medical help he needed. Harutyun described Ricky's condition when he first arrived: “The bear had a wound to his lower lip which we sutured at the scene of the accident. Fortunately, he had no broken bones, just a minor injury to one leg. He seemed disoriented initially, but recovered well after a few days of close observation.” After two weeks of rehabilitation, Ricky was declared healthy and ready to be returned to his natural habitat.

Earlier today, actor and IAR patron Peter Egan, who was present for the release, described the experience as "exhilarating to see the bear bounding back to freedom." Video footage from the release captures the dramatic and heartwarming moment of Ricky's return to the mountains, where he will once again live freely. Peter, who named the bear after his good friend Ricky Gervais, shared his excitement on social media: "This was exceptional to see this wonderful bear #Ricky released into the wild after being hit by a car and brought back to fitness by the amazing work done by @IAR_updates and @FPWC_Intl."

The Urtsadzor Wildlife Rescue Centre, managed by FPWC, plays a vital role in protecting Armenia's wildlife. Its dedicated team not only rescues and rehabilitates injured animals like Ricky but also focuses on rescuing bears that have spent years in captivity. According to Alan Knight OBE, President of IAR, "So much of our work with FPWC in Armenia involves rescuing caged bears that have spent years in captivity and can never return to the wild. It’s heartbreaking. So the opportunity to rescue and release a young, healthy animal back into its natural habitat is very uplifting."

The Wildlife Rescue Centre's mission is to provide a safe haven for animals in need, whether they are victims of human-wildlife conflict or former captives. Each successful release, like Ricky's, is a testament to the dedication of the team at FPWC and IAR and to the power of community support. 

FPWC continues to work tirelessly to ensure Armenia's wildlife is protected and preserved. The story of Ricky is a reminder of how crucial it is to support these efforts. If you would like to learn more or contribute to this lifesaving work, please visit Wildlife Rescue Center and get involved.