By George Mathias via SWNS The terrifying moment a bear released into the wild by a charity turns on a ranger and attacks. Ricky, a two-year-old brown bear - named after comedian Ricky Gervais - was hit by a vehicle in the village of Urtsadzor, Ararat Province, Armenia, on October 23. The injured animal was taken in and treated by Urtsadzor Wildlife Rescue Center.
He was found to have a wound to his lower lip which was stitched up and had a minor leg injury. Ricky was kept under "close observation" and soon recovered before being vaccinated and tested for rabies and other diseases. (FPWC/International Animal Rescue via SWNS) Two weeks later he was released with a "clean bill of health.
" However, upon release into the Armenian wilderness, the bear immediately lunged towards a ranger - who narrowly escaped by running onto his vehicle's trailer as the bear ran after him. Taking part in the release was English actor Peter Egan, 78, who starred in Downton Abbey - a patron of International Animal Rescue - who named the bear after his good friend Ricky Gervais. Peter said: "It was exhilarating to see the bear bounding back to freedom.
” Before Ricky was set free, members of the rescue team returned to the safety of their vehicles, leaving one ranger to open the transport crate. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! (FPWC/International Animal Rescue via SWNS) Thanks to careful planning, when the bear turned towards the ranger the man was able to climb into the .
