In Memory of Maia

Maia was a European brown bear who's terrible death served as the inspiration for a unique sanctuary to save other bears that have faced a life of brutality and misery.

The mistreatment and extermination of bears has been a world wide disgrace for many years. All of the various species of these magnificent animals have been held captive in appalling conditions, tortured and forced to perform, used in medicines - beaten, starved and slaughtered.

Now, with the assistance of the World Society for the Protection of Animals, animal welfare groups are rescuing some bears from their life of hell. But once they've been saved, where to put them?

In her first television documentary, Australian actress and singer Natalie Imbruglia travels to Romania to see the bear rescue work first hand and to meet the people who have started a large bear sanctuary in mountains of Transylvania.

Natalie spends time learning about the more than 30 rescued bears living and playing in the forests of the protective sanctuary and gets to meet one of the little cubs who's mother fell victim to hunters.

This is a moving story of how at least some people are trying to save the beautiful bears and restore their dignity. (Source: Ten)