Few things would be worse than being kept in a cage that is barely bigger than you are for a lengthy period of time.

Sadly, for Kai and his fellow Ussuri brown bears, this was how they lived for a horrifying 17 years.

Kai was only a little cub when he was brutally taken from his mother and locked in a small 6-foot by 9-foot cage. He never experienced any kindness or care during his many years in captivity.

During this 17 year period, Kai was one of four “living exhibits” in the Ainu Culture Museum on Hokkaido, a Japanese island. He was kept in a separate cage alongside 27-year-old female, Hanako, male Amu, and Kai’s brother Riku.

In centuries past, these bears would have been sacrificed. Now that the Ussuri are so rare, however, they are simply locked up. The breed of bear has become so rare that there are only around 10,000 left in Japan.

The four bears knew nothing but the cages, and they were incredibly bored. Finally, some Western tourists were so disturbed by the bears being kept in cages that they called British charity, Wild Welfare.

When the charity could not find anyone in Japan to take Kai and his fellow bears, the charity called the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England. The park is known for rehabilitating abused animals, and they immediately agreed to take the bears.

Kai and the other bears traveled 5,400 miles from Japan to the United Kingdom to their new home and new life, having no idea what they were in for.

Hanako and Amu are currently being kept in special enclosed dens with only their carers interacting with them.

Since they were in captivity for a longer period of time than Kai and Riku, they need more time to adjust. However, Kai and Riku were ready to explore their newfound freedom almost immediately!

The brothers now spend their days playing around in their new four acre home. There, they have the opportunity to play on climbing frames, a deep straw bed, and even a lake!

It’s nearly impossible not to tear up when watching Kai experience freedom for the first time after his cage was opened!

Kai is tentative at first, not knowing how to react. Then, his eyes fill with wonder as he has the chance to experience the world around him for the first time!

In no time, Kai is playing with toys and exuberantly splashing around in the lake!

Check out this incredible moment below, and SHARE this story so your friends and family can see this as well!