Fifi, the bear, spent the first ten years of her life captive at a road-side zoo in Pennsylvania.  She was forced to learn inane tricks and spend her life behind bars.  When the zoo closed, things got worse.

RELATED ARTICLES:

For the twenty years that followed, Fifi spent her life in a tiny cage. Her shelter was that of an old doghouse. Her malnutrition and stagnation caused her considerable pain and arthritis.

In July 2015, PETA and The Wild Animal Sanctuary rescued her and returned her to the life she deserves. They brought her to a Colorado facility where she gained access to a wide-open sanctuary and the freedom to walk around.

RELATED ARTICLE:

She was in bad shape, though.

Her transformation was nothing short of spectacular.  After five months of living free and eating healthy, her coat began to grow back.

Now, for the first time in her life, she is able to hibernate and live the life bears were meant for.

 

*Article originally appeared at Minds.