In the Czech Republic, there are still several forms of inappropriate bear keeping. Bears suffer from poor conditions in substandard zoos, in private keeping and in circuses. Since 2022, there has been a ban on the breeding and acquisition of all wild animal species in circuses in the Czech Republic. This is a significant step forward and will prevent a lot of animal suffering in the future. Nevertheless, circus operators are allowed to keep wild animals such as bears born or obtained before the legal ban came into force (according to the so-called 'grandfather clause'). 

In the Czech Republic, there are still five bears living in ancient castle moats. These bear moats have a centuries-old tradition, but in recent years many people have contacted FOUR PAWS and other animal welfare organizations and expressed concerns about this form of bear keeping, which we also share. 

FOUR PAWS is of the opinion that the keeping of bears in castle moats does not meet the requirements and standards of modern, species-appropriate bear keeping, particularly with regard to the size, safety and structure of the enclosures. Keeping bears in mostly concrete moats deprives the animals of any possibility to follow their species-specific behavior. The enclosures are usually far too small and cannot meet the natural bears’ needs. Due to historic preservation requirements, there are often hardly possibilities for enlargement or major construction works. Also, despite improvements made in recent years, these enclosures still lack a natural environment with bushes, trees and grass. Moreover, as the enclosures are located in the deep moats and pits around the (medieval) castles, the bears usually just stare at the barren stone walls.

These concerns have already been addressed to the responsible authorities by FOUR PAWS and other animal welfare organizations, with the aim to end the keeping of bears in castle moats entirely. Solutions for the remaining bears can be offered in sanctuaries abroad.

Bears kept in castle moats have limited possibilities to run, climb and dig, and often lack the possibility to retreat from heat, rain or other influences like visitor noise or artificial lighting of the historic monument in the night. There are hardly any options for undisturbed hibernation. These inappropriate keeping conditions and the rather low-stimulus environment of the animals can lead to stereotypical behavior, such as constant pacing back and forth or walking in circles.

A crucial point is also the security aspect: The facilities can often be accessed by public 24/7 and there is a lack of surveillance, thus posing a significant risk to the animals and visitors.

Furthermore, the keeping of bears in castle moats gives visitors a false impression of species-appropriate animal husbandry. From FOUR PAWS' point of view, bears should be kept in compliance with science-based animal keeping standards, and in accredited zoos and sanctuaries only.