Project Description

Charles was imprisoned for almost 40 years old in a rusty cages of the Ethnographic Museum in Vrancea department. He did not have an official name, but volunteers from the Center for “Wildlife Rescue and Care” gave him several names: the “old”, “uncle” or” Prince Charles”.

He, together with two bears named Winnie and Mona were the only animals remaining in the oldest zoo in Petreşti (Crângaşi) when that closed. Mona died in the winter of 2011, so ending her suffering caused by very cold weather, snow and diseases. For Charles, that winter would have been the last, if he had remained there.

He was in a terrible state: he had big problems with his lungs, a possible heart disease, arthritis, and vision problems. The day he was released in the Libearty sanctuary, Charles reborn. He checked his new home from one corner to the other and probably his paws touched the grass and earth for the first time in his life. The main attraction was the pool. He had not seen his face in the water until then. He had a large swimming pool with fresh water only for himself. Without any hesitation, Prince Charles sank into the water and tasted freedom.

On November 10, 2014, Charles died of natural causes at the age of about 44 years, double the age of life expectancy in the wild.