Then vs. Now: Runa & Kodi - Sustainable Action Now (SAN)

Last April, in the remote wilderness of Ukraine, two tiny brown bear cubs were found alone.

No mother.
No protection.
No realistic chance of survival.

For two days, a local hunting station monitored the area, hoping their mother would return. She never did.

At only a few weeks old and weighing just 5 and 7 kilograms, Runa and Kodi were severely vulnerable—exhausted, starving, and exposed to predators and environmental stress. What happened next was not just a rescue. It was a coordinated wildlife intervention that demonstrates why international sanctuary networks matter now more than ever.

At Sustainable Action Now, we are highlighting this extraordinary “Then vs. Now” story from FOUR PAWS International as part of our ongoing coverage of global wildlife rescue efforts through our Rescue Network initiative.

The Emergency Rescue: A Narrow Window for Survival

Brown bear cubs at just a few weeks old are entirely dependent on their mother. Without her, survival rates plummet rapidly due to:

Inability to thermoregulate effectively
Lack of foraging skills
High predation risk
Rapid dehydration and malnutrition

When the mother did not return, immediate intervention became the only humane option.

Runa and Kodi were rushed to safety and transported to BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr, a specialized facility operated by FOUR PAWS International in Ukraine.

This was not a symbolic rescue. It was a logistical, veterinary, and ecological response designed to stabilize two critically vulnerable animals under urgent conditions.

Why Rewilding Was Not Possible

In an ideal conservation framework, orphaned wildlife—especially apex mammals like brown bears—would undergo structured rehabilitation and eventual reintroduction into their natural habitat.

However, Ukraine currently does not have dedicated facilities equipped for brown bear rehabilitation and rewilding.

Rewilding requires:

Minimal human imprinting protocols
Specialized forest enclosures
Gradual exposure to natural food sourcing
Long-term monitoring post-release
Wildlife corridor protections

Without these structural elements, release into the wild can result in starvation, human conflict, or recapture.

Faced with this reality, FOUR PAWS made a critical decision: provide lifelong sanctuary care rather than risk failed reintroduction.

This decision underscores a broader conservation truth—sanctuaries are not second-best options. In many geopolitical and infrastructural contexts, they are the only viable humane outcome.

Then vs. Now: A Transformation Rooted in Care

When Runa and Kodi arrived, they were underweight, fragile, and distressed.

Today?

They are thriving.

The transformation includes:

Healthy weight gain
Strength development
Natural play behavior
Social bonding
Increased confidence in their habitat

Play is not trivial in bear development. For cubs, play builds muscle coordination, social skills, and behavioral enrichment. It signals recovery—not just physically, but psychologically.

Thanks to the tireless work of sanctuary caretakers, Runa and Kodi now live in an environment designed to replicate key elements of their natural ecosystem while ensuring safety and stability.

The Role of BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr

Located in western Ukraine, BEAR SANCTUARY Domazhyr was established to provide species-appropriate habitats for bears rescued from:

Illegal captivity
Former baiting stations
Abusive private ownership
Substandard zoo conditions

The sanctuary offers:

Expansive forest enclosures
Natural vegetation
Enrichment structures
Veterinary oversight
Behavioral monitoring

For Runa and Kodi, Domazhyr is not a cage—it is a managed wilderness designed to allow them to grow into strong, confident adult brown bears.

In a region facing political instability and infrastructure strain, the continued operation of wildlife sanctuaries is a testament to international cooperation and resilience.

The Broader Wildlife Crisis: Orphaned Animals in Conflict Zones

Ukraine’s ongoing challenges extend beyond human displacement. Wildlife populations are also affected by:

Habitat disruption
Increased human-wildlife encounters
Infrastructure damage
Reduced conservation funding

Orphaned animals like Runa and Kodi represent a growing reality in areas experiencing ecological stress.

Sanctuary networks serve as emergency infrastructure when traditional wildlife management systems are compromised.

Without them, survival rates drop dramatically.

SanctuarySaturdays: Celebrating Rescue Success

The story of Runa and Kodi is part of FOUR PAWS’ #SanctuarySaturdays initiative—spotlighting successful rescue and rehabilitation stories from sanctuaries and cooperation partners worldwide.

These stories matter for several reasons:

They counter compassion fatigue with visible outcomes.
They demonstrate measurable conservation impact.
They encourage sustained donor engagement.
They remind the public that rescue is possible—even in crisis conditions.

In a media landscape saturated with environmental loss narratives, successful wildlife interventions provide both accountability and hope.

Why Wildlife Sanctuaries Matter in the Climate Era

Climate change compounds wildlife vulnerability.

Brown bears are already adapting to:

Altered food availability
Shortened hibernation cycles
Shifting territorial ranges

When young cubs lose maternal protection, climate instability increases survival risk even further.

Sanctuaries provide controlled environments where rescued animals can:

Stabilize health
Avoid human conflict
Receive appropriate nutrition
Develop species-specific behaviors

In a warming world, wildlife rescue and climate resilience are increasingly intertwined.

Supporting Global Rescue Networks

FOUR PAWS International operates through a global network of sanctuaries, veterinary missions, and advocacy initiatives.

Support mechanisms include:

Direct donations
Adoption sponsorship programs
Local office contributions to maximize tax benefits

For those looking to contribute, options include visiting FOUR PAWS Donation Portal or exploring their Adoption Programme.

Financial contributions directly fund:

Veterinary care
Habitat maintenance
Staff salaries
Emergency transport logistics
Long-term sanctuary infrastructure

Wildlife rescue is resource-intensive. Sustained funding determines capacity.

The Ethical Imperative

Runa and Kodi’s story forces a simple but powerful reflection:

When wildlife loses its safety net, who steps in?

Governments often lack infrastructure. Conflict complicates conservation. Habitat degradation accelerates vulnerability.

Organizations like FOUR PAWS fill that gap.

Rescue is not charity—it is corrective action in response to systemic disruption.

From Vulnerable Cubs to Confident Bears

The “Then vs. Now” arc is not sentimental storytelling. It is measurable recovery:

Then:

Orphaned
Malnourished
Alone

Now:

Thriving
Strong
Social and playful

Every sanctuary success story reinforces the argument for expanding rescue networks globally.

Sustainable Action Now: Expanding the Rescue Conversation

Through our Rescue Network platform, SAN is committed to elevating wildlife rescue initiatives that demonstrate tangible outcomes.

Runa and Kodi’s journey represents:

International collaboration
Ethical wildlife intervention
Long-term sanctuary commitment
Conservation resilience under pressure

Their survival is not accidental. It is the result of structured care, strategic funding, and unwavering dedication from wildlife professionals.

The Future They Deserve

Runa and Kodi will never return to the wild.

But they will live.

They will climb, forage, explore, and play within a protected forest environment built for their species.

That is not a compromise. It is a victory under difficult circumstances.

And in a world where wildlife survival is increasingly uncertain, victories matter.

Support sanctuaries.
Support rescue networks.
Support the systems that make “Then vs. Now” transformations possible.

Because every orphaned cub deserves a future—and every thriving bear proves that intervention works.