A blind brown bear in Dushanbe Zoo, Tajikistan, lived for years in appalling conditions — a concrete cage with no natural light, no veterinary care, and no clean water. Due to neglect, she lost her vision and lived in constant pain and isolation.

Recently, this bear has disappeared. The zoo administration claims she was “transferred” to Armenia, but has refused to provide any proof: no official documents, no receiving sanctuary, no photographic evidence, and no public statement.

This lack of transparency raises serious concerns about the bear’s fate — and about animal welfare standards at Dushanbe Zoo in general.

We, the undersigned, demand:

Full public disclosure of the bear’s transfer, including destination, dates, veterinary reports, and transportation documents.
Independent investigation into the conditions at Dushanbe Zoo.
Reform of animal welfare legislation and regular monitoring of captive animals in Tajikistan.

President Emomali Rahmon, Minister of Ecology, and the leadership of Dushanbe Zoo must be held accountable for ensuring animal welfare, transparency, and dignity in captivity.

This is not just about one bear. It’s about every animal suffering in silence behind closed cages.