Over three decades ago, a young bear cub found herself in a zoo in Pennsylvania. Her name was Fifi, given to her by the staff who would ultimately fail her in every imaginable way.
Fifi’s life began in captivity, where she was robbed of her freedom and dignity. The zoo had one intention: to use her as a source of profit. She was trained to perform tricks for the amusement of visitors, never shown compassion, and deprived of proper care.
For twenty long years, Fifi endured harsh conditions — confined to small enclosures, fed poorly, and denied any semblance of a natural life. But even when the rundown zoo was finally closed, her suffering didn’t end.
Rather than being released or rehomed, Fifi was locked away in a decrepit, rusting cage. She spent an entire decade there, isolated and forgotten, her spirit slowly fading as she waited — not for help, but for someone to purchase her.
Then, finally, hope arrived.
The animal welfare group PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — learned of Fifi’s desperate situation. Known for advocating against the exploitation of animals in all forms, PETA stepped in to intervene.
When their team reached Fifi, they were heartbroken by what they saw. The once vibrant Syrian brown bear had become frail and gaunt, her body weakened from years of neglect. Arthritis had taken hold of her joints, causing pain that had gone untreated for far too long.
Without delay, PETA arranged for Fifi to be relocated to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado — a safe haven where she could finally receive the care she had been denied for so many years.
Now, far from the iron bars of her former prison, Fifi is beginning a new chapter. Surrounded by open skies and the gentle care of those who truly value her, she’s finally experiencing what it means to live free.