A Syrian brown bear family, including Aram (12), Nairi (10), and their daughter Lola (5–6), were rescued after spending 12 years in filthy cages in Yerevan, Armenia.

Rescuers from International Animal Rescue (IAR) and FPWC faced a 12-hour delay before being allowed to remove the bears from the property, doing so by torchlight in heavy rain.

The bears, weighing up to 500kg each, were carried through the owner's flat and placed in lorries.

The bears are now at Urtsadzor wildlife rescue centre.