Animal rights activists in Cyprus are sounding the alarm as two brown bears have been illegally imported into the country. According to News in Cyprus, citing animal welfare advocates, the scorching Mediterranean climate makes it impossible for these creatures to survive on the island of Aphrodite.
Local activist Dinos Aiomamitis expressed this concern and alerted the Cypriot veterinary service to the illegal importation of these bears. According to the animal welfare advocate, wild bears are being held in one of the pet shops in Nicosia and displayed to visitors for a fee. Based on videos shared on Cypriot social media, it appears that these animals are being kept in poor conditions in outdoor cages alongside other animals.
Aiomamitis asserts that brown bears belong to a species that is prohibited from being imported into the Republic of Cyprus. The country of origin of these illegally imported individuals has not been disclosed. However, considering the natural habitat of brown bears, it is possible that they were brought to the island from Russia or other post-Soviet countries. Additionally, it is known that there is a small population of brown bears in northern Greece, which could also be a potential source for these animals.
Local media reports indicate that the Cypriot veterinary service has launched an investigation into this incident.