Four elderly bears kept for at least twenty years in small cages at a roadside zoo were taken by PETA to the Colorado's Wild Animal Sanctuary.

The bears used to perform at the Big Bear Farm Zoo Park in Pennsylvania before it closed its doors in 1995. They were forced to do tricks like riding a bicycle and after the zoo closed they were locked away in cages with concrete floors and only small dog-houses for cover.

After PETA secured their release from these terrible conditions the bears were checked by a vet to make sure they were fit to travel and then taken to the sanctuary where they cautiously explored their new surroundings.

The four bears now have access to water holes and acres of prairie grass to roam in and can enjoy their final years in freedom.

More about bears