Georgia at a Loss on How To Deal With Caged Bears

Wildlife defense organizations estimate 30 to 50 brown bears are held captive in poor conditions throughout Georgia. While a handful live a bit more comfortably in an enclosure at the Tbilisi zoo, most of the shaggy, toothy omnivores are on display in small cages near restaurants, gas stations and parks.

Owners and caretakers are reluctant to release them in the wild and organizations with interest in protecting the species have so far been unable to create a sanctuary in the Caucasus country.