#SaddestBears
#SaddestBears
caged bears in southeast europe are abused as pets and tourist attractions
FOUR PAWS estimates hundreds of bears are still in captivity across Europe, most living in appalling conditions.
In Southeast Europe, bears are often held in cages that are far too small, poorly constructed and inadequately equipped.
Circuses and private owners keep animals in conditions that are not suited to their species. Many zoos and animal parks do not fulfill the minimum standards for keeping wildlife determined in the EU Zoos Directive... but the suffering is not just limited to these situations.
FOUR PAWS aims to permanently improve the situation of captive brown bears in countries like Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Serbia.
FOUR PAWS has already helped many bears in Southeast Europe, rescuing them from catastrophic conditions.
Together with the Kosovo government, we have been able to rescue every 'restaurant bear' in the country and accommodated them in our BEAR SANCTUARY Prishtina. FOUR PAWS has put an end to the cruel practice of keeping dancing bears in Bulgaria and Serbia.
About 4,500
brown bears live in the wild in Southeast Europe
ca. 50
bears are being kept in poor captivity
< 8 m²
cage area for an adult bear
