Meet Hansel and Gretel: A story of hope
Blog
Once trapped in darkness, bear siblings Hansel and Gretel now roam freely under the sun at Libearty Bear Sanctuary.
Bear cubs Hansel and Gretel were once stuck in a tiny, dark cage at a roadside zoo in Romania. For two years, these siblings were denied the warmth of the sun and the softness of grass beneath their paws. They were hungry and weak, with no chance to roam or explore. But thanks to the support of compassionate people like you, Hansel and Gretel's lives have been completely transformed at Libearty Sanctuary.
When Hansel first arrived, he was weak and hungry. Over time, he grew stronger and more confident. Today, Hansel is the "king" of the sanctuary, calm and majestic, enjoying simple pleasures like scratching his back against the trees and stretching out in the grass! Watching him now, it’s hard to believe he was once so fragile.
Gretel started out just as fragile as her brother, unsure of how to embrace the freedom around her. But she quickly grew stronger and now she’s so big that she could easily be mistaken for a male bear! Full of energy, Gretel loves to roam the sanctuary and has a special fondness for climbing trees and exploring.
Hansel and Gretel have been through so much together, their bond is unbreakable. You’ll often find them sitting side by side, sunbathing or playing in the water, fully embracing their newfound freedom. These moments show just how far they’ve come from the tiny cage they once lived in. What once seemed impossible - living freely in the sun and playing without fear - is now their reality, all thanks to the kindness of people like you.
Hansel and Gretel playing in the pond at Libearty.
The need is still great
Hansel and Gretel’s transformation is a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when animals are given the chance to heal. Sadly, their story is just one of many - there are countless other animals still waiting for their chance at freedom, safety and peace.
Your support is the key to ensuring that more animals like Hansel and Gretel can experience the freedom they deserve. With your help, we can protect animals from cruelty, provide them with safe sanctuaries and give them the chance to bask in the sun, just like Hansel and Gretel do now.
By protecting animals, you also protect their homes, the environment and our shared planet. That's the Power of Animals - when animals thrive, we all thrive.
Will you help make 2025 even more impactful for animals in need? Together, we can continue this important work and give more animals the peaceful, joyful lives they deserve.