Bear Mascha shares a concrete cage with bear Felix.

Help for Bears in Slovenia

FOUR PAWS aims to expedite an end to the private keeping of bears in Slovenia

11/9/2023

Since 2004, it is forbidden for private persons in Slovenia to keep bears that were taken from the wild. Owners of bears that were obtained before 2004 and that could not be released back into the wild, could get approval from the competent Ministry to keep those individuals. That is why even today, years after the introduction of the legislation, 5 bears still suffer in small cages in Slovenia in private hands.

In line with our goal to end the illegal and inappropriate keeping of brown bears in Southeast Europe, in 2022 FOUR PAWS assessed the living conditions of the remaining privately kept bears in Slovenia. The findings were shocking: All bears are being kept in small concrete cages without access to species-appropriate food or care. They show strong stereotypical behaviour, which is caused by boredom and stress; and they have few possibilities if any to hide from visitors. None of the bears have access to enrichment to encourage their natural behaviours, keep them occupied, and stimulate their playfulness and curiosity. Some do not even have the possibility to bathe or climb. And what’s more – two bears need urgent medical treatment!

We want to end the suffering of these bears, but as the keepings are legal, we need cooperation from the bears' owners and support from the respective authorities. Therefore, FOUR PAWS has approached the Slovenian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Food and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning to work together on a phase-out plan to expedite an end to the private keeping of bears in Slovenia. Although we offered both ministries support with the intake, life-long care, and medical treatment of confiscated or voluntarily surrendered Slovenian bears to our bear sanctuaries, the authorities have so far made no move to facilitate bear rescues.

These Bears Deserve Better

Mici

A prisoner for 20+ years


Mici has been kept next to a restaurant in Žirovnica, Slovenia for roughly 21 years. Each day she stares through the same metal bars and ekes out a sad existence for the amusement of diners. She has lived alone in this cage since the death of her brother some years ago.

Mitko

A lifetime on concrete


For nearly 30 years bear Mitko has been suffering in a barren and filthy concrete cage next to a restaurant on Mount Nanos in Slovenia. While tourists enjoy a good meal, accommodation & the beautiful landscape, Mitko lacks the basic necessities for a brown bear needs.

Mascha & Felix

High stress in a small space 


Mascha and Felix have been kept next to a restaurant in Kočevje for over two decades. The bears do not get along very well, but are forced to share the small concrete enclosure. Boredom and stress have caused strong stereotypical behaviour in both bears.

Tim

Needs urgent medical treatment 


Tim is kept in a tiny concrete cage at Zoopark Rozman. He paces and chews on the metal bars of his barren cage. His health status is very worrying as his body is covered in open and infected wounds. Tim needs urgent medical treatment, which he obviously does not get.

Timeline of FOUR PAWS activities

 2023 

September 

FOUR PAWS approaches representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning to address the welfare problems of the last five privately kept bears again. Additionally, FOUR PAWS renews its offer to support improvements for the bears and placement of the bears in FOUR PAWS sanctuaries. There the bears can finally get the chance to get species-appropriate care for the rest of their lives.

July

After a year of continued suffering for the five bears, the ongoing exchange and joint assessment with representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food have unfortunately still not led to any improvements for the bearsThe Ministry seems thave let go of their initial motivation to help the bears and instead refers FOUR PAWS to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning. Unfortunately, previous attempts to involve representatives of this Ministry in the assessment have not led to any response. 

June

A veterinary report from the joint assessment was shared with the authorities. For all bears the recommendation by the wildlife veterinarian is similarThe bears currently suffer in inappropriate conditions, lack proper care and show physical damage and psychological behaviour disorders. They should be translocated as soon as possible to species-appropriate facilities.
Quote 
from report on bear Mici: “In summary, I would highly recommend translocating the animal to an adequate, species-appropriate keeping facility to prevent further physical and psychological damage for animal welfare reasons.” 

May

Joint assessment visit of the five bears with the experienced wildlife veterinarian and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food. All participants of the assessment visit confirm the previous conclusion that the bears suffer and are in need of urgent help. 

2022

October & February 2023

After constructive conversations with representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, the authorities agreed on joint visit to assess the living and keeping conditions of the bears, together with an experienced wildlife veterinarianBased on this assessment, written recommendations were planned to be provided by the wildlife veterinarian for each individual bear with the goal to improve their welfare.

August

FOUR PAWS conducted an assessment of the living and keeping conditions of the five last remaining bears in private captivity in Slovenia and found out that the animals are suffering in inappropriate conditions. As a next step, FOUR PAWS approached the Slovenian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, which is responsible for the welfare of captive bears in Slovenia. FOUR PAWS offered to work on a phase-out plan together with the Ministry to expedite an end to the private keeping of bears in Slovenia.

Bear in a cage

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