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Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They’re Best Buddies Now

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Though Russia’s coat of arms is a double-headed eagle, the bear is the unofficial mascot of Russia, and some might say even more popular and widely associated with the country. While the rest of the world prefers cats and dogs, seemingly only Russians can prefer bears as pets. Today’s story is exactly about that.

Novosibirsk resident Veronica Dichka can proudly say that Archie is her trusty companion. Archie, who is also from Novosibirsk, was initially rescued from a circus by Maya Kirsanova as a cub. He lived in a safari park along with a few other bears until it had to close down due to the pandemic. As time passed, it became increasingly difficult to maintain the shelter, and that’s where the brave Veronica came into the picture and adopted him. It’s worth mentioning that Veronica previously worked with the bear on a few photoshoots, but was only an acquaintance to Archie. But now they’re inseparable, and the photos you’ll see below are a testament to their special relationship.

More info: Instagram | tiktok.com

Meet Veronica and Archie, a bear rescued from the circus two years ago because it didn’t get enough food

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

Image credits: dichkaaaaa

Veronica adopted Archie later on, as the bear didn’t have a reliable shelter after the local zoo was closed due to the pandemic

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

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Image credits: dichkaaaaa

Archie was born in captivity, and couldn’t survive without the help of humans

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

Image credits: dichkaaaaa

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The unlikely couple are from Novosibirsk, Russia, and they have a jovial relationship

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

Image credits: dichkaaaaa

Archie is very smart, knows a lot of tricks and is very disciplined

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

Image credits: dichkaaaaa

Veronica is a model, a professional dancer, and a passionate fishing enthusiast

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

Image credits: dichkaaaaa

Archie recently even joined Veronica on a fishing trip

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

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Archie is very well fed as opposed to before. He doesn’t even need to hibernate

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

Image credits: dichkaaaaa

Veronica knows the true meaning of a bear hug

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

Image credits: dichkaaaaa

They spend every day together

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

Image credits: dichkaaaaa

Archie sees Veronica as a member of his family. They share food, Archie sleeps in her arms, and hides behind her when afraid

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

Image credits: dichkaaaaa

Archie and Veronica are happy to have each other

Russian Woman Rescued A Bear From A Closed-Down Zoo, And They're Best Buddies Now

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Image credits: dichkaaaaa

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21Kviews

Hidrėlėy

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Titas Burinskas

This dude right here? He works as a Community Manager at Bored Panda. Has no back-story, cause his spine works just fine. He writes about himself in third-person, and in first-person about others. Fell in love with storytelling and cannot let that love go. Now, he's here to help you make your own story simply beautiful. Secretly makes cute music samples and writes stories in the dark that nobody has ever heard of before.

This dude right here? He works as a Community Manager at Bored Panda. Has no back-story, cause his spine works just fine. He writes about himself in third-person, and in first-person about others. Fell in love with storytelling and cannot let that love go. Now, he's here to help you make your own story simply beautiful. Secretly makes cute music samples and writes stories in the dark that nobody has ever heard of before.

What do you think ?

Aliquid A 3 years ago

Her motivation seems more about getting good photoshoots, rather than caring about the welfare of the animal.

36points

Troux 3 years ago

Why can't it be both? Just because she wants attention doesn't mean she starves and abuses animals.

34points

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suvani subba 3 years ago

The bear is happy and healthy and doesnt seem camera shy. If the photoshoot and modelling is making money then good for her. At least he is fed and loved well by her.

13points

HoneyBun Arts 3 years ago (edited)

I have to agree. The bear needs to go to a rescue.

7points

Susan Green 3 years ago

That’s true.

2points

Michael Goldsholl 3 years ago

You are be a sad negative liberal who has no live in their heart. She doesn’t need you or your negative nothing

0points

Linda HS 3 years ago (edited)

As much as I love the fact that the bear was saved, I do not agree with this style of life for the bear. She is so much into posing and getting “likes” and so on, that I am afraid that everybody will want a bear or a lion or a tiger or something exotic to get “likes” and followers and so on…As I said, thank you for saving him, but this is just not ok.

34points

Sark Aztik 3 years ago

Most people aren't that stupid. They know bears are dangerous and steer clear of them. The situation in this article has happened on several occasions in Russia for over a decade now (at least on social media, mostly definitely longer outside of it) and a sudden "exotic pet" craze has not begun. I'm all for "do what you want if it only affects you.". If she wants to take the risk of having a bear instead of finding a more suitable home for it, that's her decision so long as she doesn't neglect it... just a very stupid one.

4points

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Gabby M 3 years ago (edited)

The pictures made me uncomfortable.

19points

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Aliquid A 3 years ago

Her motivation seems more about getting good photoshoots, rather than caring about the welfare of the animal.

36points

Troux 3 years ago

Why can't it be both? Just because she wants attention doesn't mean she starves and abuses animals.

34points

Load More Replies...

suvani subba 3 years ago

The bear is happy and healthy and doesnt seem camera shy. If the photoshoot and modelling is making money then good for her. At least he is fed and loved well by her.

13points

HoneyBun Arts 3 years ago (edited)

I have to agree. The bear needs to go to a rescue.

7points

Susan Green 3 years ago

That’s true.

2points

Michael Goldsholl 3 years ago

You are be a sad negative liberal who has no live in their heart. She doesn’t need you or your negative nothing

0points

Linda HS 3 years ago (edited)

As much as I love the fact that the bear was saved, I do not agree with this style of life for the bear. She is so much into posing and getting “likes” and so on, that I am afraid that everybody will want a bear or a lion or a tiger or something exotic to get “likes” and followers and so on…As I said, thank you for saving him, but this is just not ok.

34points

Sark Aztik 3 years ago

Most people aren't that stupid. They know bears are dangerous and steer clear of them. The situation in this article has happened on several occasions in Russia for over a decade now (at least on social media, mostly definitely longer outside of it) and a sudden "exotic pet" craze has not begun. I'm all for "do what you want if it only affects you.". If she wants to take the risk of having a bear instead of finding a more suitable home for it, that's her decision so long as she doesn't neglect it... just a very stupid one.

4points

Load More Replies...

Gabby M 3 years ago (edited)

The pictures made me uncomfortable.

19points

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