It’s always sad to see animals in cages, especially when animals are abandoned in cages that are far too small for them. Sadly, this is exactly the situation that the four bears in this story found themselves in, but you can rest assured that they eventually got the happy ending that they deserved.

Most zoos have large enclosures that allow animals to run free as well as rehabilitation or breeding programs to help them, but this was not the case at the zoo where these bears lived. The zoo they had lived in was long defunct, and the four bears were abandoned. When they were found, they were in very bad condition after long suffering from neglect.

The four bears were named Bruno, Fifi, Marsha and Pocahontas, and they were found inside rusty cages that were so small that they had nowhere to sleep or escape the sun. None of the bears had hibernated in years, and before the zoo closed, the animals were forced to perform grueling circus tricks. They were forced to do things like stand on their hind legs and even rode bicycle, and they were made to keep performing even though they were in serious pain.

Their rescuers found them pacing in their cages, and one of them was suffering from severe and painful arthritis. It was obvious from the way she was walking that she was in extreme pain, and the other three bears all were physically hurting as well.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) rescued the bears and moved them to a much more spacious enclosure for them to recover in before being released back into the wild. As soon as the bears were released into their new cages, it was clear by their reaction that the enclosures were far better than their old ones.

In the video below, you’ll see the elderly bears react to taking their first steps in freedom in over twenty years. Their reactions are powerful to behold, and the smiles on their faces really do say it all. Check out the video for yourself below.