Photos: Captive bears set free into mountains of Iraq

Bears walk after Kurdish animal rights activists released them into the wild after rescuing bears from captivity in people homes, in Dohuk, Iraq. The bears were released into the wild as part of a special ceremony organized by the Kurdish American Cooperation Organization, a local charity that has set rescued bears free on two other occasions, the news agency said.

People and security members run away as Kurdish animal rights activists release a bear into the wild after rescuing bears from captivity in people homes, in Dohuk.

The bears, some of whom had been rescued from captivity in people's homes, eventually left the spectators alone.

A bear leaves its cage as Kurdish animal rights activists release it into the wild in Dohuk.

Residents and journalists gather around a bear's cage as Kurdish animal rights activists release bears in the mountains after rescuing them from captivity in people homes, in Dohuk, Iraq.

A Kurdish man feeds fish to a bear.

A Syrian brown bear is seen inside a cage before being released to take its freedom in nature in Kurdistan,

A bear is seen inside a cage before Kurdish animal rights activists release it into the wild.

The bears were released as part of a scheme to save them from extinction, according to multiple reports.