Etihad Cargo has helped to transport a set of two rescued brown bears from Russia to their new home at Wild Ireland, a wildlife sanctuary in County Donegal.
The company took the task in an effort to reinforce its wider commitment to animal welfare and supporting wildlife conservation efforts.
Bu, a former circus bear, and Tyapa, who had been kept at a petting zoo, have spent the last several years living in ‘unsuitable’ conditions in Dagestan, Russia. They arrived in Ireland on 4 August 2026, marking the successful conclusion of a five-year international rescue effort led by Killian McLaughlin, Founder and Director of Wild Ireland.
Etihad Cargo itself played a key role in the rescue, transporting both bears from Moscow to Dublin via its Abu Dhabi hub.
Working closely with Abu Dhabi Airports and Velora, Etihad teams coordinated specialist handling and transit arrangements at Zayed International Airport, with the operator’s live animal transportation experience underpinned by its IATA CEIV Live Animals certification.
Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad, said:At Etihad Cargo, we believe our global network and expertise can play a meaningful role in supporting wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
Bu and Tyapa's rescue is a powerful example of how collaboration can give animals a second chance at life. We are proud to have supported this remarkable mission alongside our partners, demonstrating that what we do goes beyond connecting markets to making a positive difference.
