01.06.26
“In May, I visited the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre White Rock Bear Shelter (Bila Skelia in Ukrainian), and I came back deeply impressed by what has been created there for rescued wild animals.
A hidden but world-class rehabilitation centre
Bila Skelia may look like a small family-run initiative hidden away in the Ukrainian countryside. However, it is one of the most thoughtfully designed wildlife rehabilitation projects I have seen.
The shelter was created by zoologists and biologists Dr. Maryna Shkvyria and her husband, who have devoted years of their lives to building a place where wild animals can finally feel safe again.
What struck me most was how much care and thought has gone into every detail.
Their aim is not simply to “keep rescued animals safe”, but to create a professional rehabilitation facility where animals rescued from cruelty can recover physically and psychologically, regain natural behaviours where possible, and then either return to the wild or move to proper sanctuaries for lifelong care.
Designed for recovery, not display
Everything at the shelter reflects this philosophy. The enclosures are designed around the animals’ natural needs rather than visitor entertainment:
- Bears have ponds to swim in, dens to rest in, places to climb, explore and hide.
- Wolves are given space and privacy.
- Food enrichment encourages natural behaviour instead of dependency on humans.
- Even feeding methods are designed to stimulate searching, digging and curiosity.
Walking through the shelter, it becomes obvious that every detail is created to make animals’ lives better.
What impressed me even more was that the care for nature extends far beyond the rescued animals themselves. Around the shelter there are bat houses, insect hotels, specially planted native vegetation and ongoing efforts to restore biodiversity and create a more rewilded landscape.
It is rare to see a rescue centre that understands wildlife protection as part of a larger ecosystem rather than simply a collection of animals in enclosures.
Every animal has a story of survival
Every resident of Bila Skelia has a tragic story. Bears were rescued from circuses, roadside zoos or restaurants. Wolves were taken from families who bought them as pets and later realised they could not cope with keeping a wild animal. Many arrived deeply traumatised – afraid of open spaces, water or even freedom itself.
As Maryna told me during the visit, ‘It is easier to save a bear from a cage than to get the cage out of the bear’.
Education, ecosystems and long-term impact
Besides rescuing, the shelter does a great job in education. Bila Skelia organises guided tours and educational visits for children and adults, helping people understand animal behaviour, rehabilitation and the consequences of exploiting wildlife for entertainment. Visitors are not encouraged to touch, feed or pose with the animals.
This is not a contact zoo and not a spectacle.
The goal is to help people see wild animals with respect rather than as entertainment. What they can touch is pieces of bear and wolf fur and their clay footprints in a special gazebo, where they also can read information about them and stories of these animals.
The organisation also works with other groups to improve legislation and standards for wildlife keeping and rehabilitation in Ukraine. Importantly, Maryna established Bila Skelia as an organisation rather than simply a personal project, ensuring that the shelter and the animals will continue to be cared for in the future, whatever happens. For instance, at the moment, Maryna’s husband is at the frontline, protecting our country, so the system is working.
Naturewatch Foundation is happy to support Bila Skelia and to learn more about their work firsthand.
In a region where wildlife rescue facilities often struggle with limited resources, projects like this show what can be achieved through professionalism, scientific knowledge and extraordinary personal dedication.”
Natalie Sorokopud
Campaign Coordinator – Eastern Europe
What can you do?
- Read our other blog to find out how we’re supporting Bila Skelia’s wolves and bears in 2026.
- Support our work by donating or becoming a regular giver. Every contribution helps us care for animals in the UK, Eastern Europe and beyond – from dogs and cats to wildlife in need.
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