
Freeing bears from captivity

With your support, we can stop bears being subjected to a lifetime of pain and distress in the bear bile industry
Brown bears are one of the largest species of bear and are native to Romania. Their natural habitat includes forests and open plains, where their home range can reach hundreds of square miles. Sadly, this is not the life that the captive bears of Romania’s private bear owners and private zoos experience. They are kept in inadequate enclosures, often on concrete floors that damage their delicate paws, with little in the way of enrichment and fed a nutritionally deficient diet.
We have been working with our partner in Romania, Asociatia Milioane de Prieteni (AMP) since 2005, creating the world’s largest bear sanctuary near Zarnesti. The final phase of this was completed in early 2014. The sanctuary is set in lush forest, with pools for the bears to bathe in and plenty of space for them to roam around. Unfortunately, the bears we rescue would be unable to survive in the wild due to their history but the sanctuary provides them with an environment that is as close to their natural habitat as possible.
We work with AMP to identify and rescue bears being kept in cruel conditions and then house them in our purpose-built sanctuary. Our work includes:
With your support, we can stop bears being subjected to a lifetime of pain and distress in the bear bile industry
World Animal Protection acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
World Animal Protection exists to move the world to protect animals.
© 2014 World Animal Protection Limited (formerly WSPA Australia Limited)
ABN 19 083 297 027 CM 164 00124. Registered Charity Number: CFN 16458.
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