We drove across Kosovo to visit a bear sanctuary which we’d read about, with little expectation of seeing any bears. The sanctuary had been established because, until very recently, it was not illegal to keep bears in Kosovo; restaurants kept them in terrible conditions as attractions for guests, and some were fed a diet of bread and beer for many years. They now have pretty fantastic surroundings and ‘enrichment’ opportunities.
The santuary is really top-notch; there are 20 bears, each with their own distinctive character. Those who get along together (see below) share space while others have their own place. To visit the different bear enclosures, one has to climb quite a bit up a steep path. Once more, despite the busload of kids down in the parking lot and in the cafe, we were the only people actually doing the trek. Because the bear enclosures are very large, with lots of trees and bushes, we weren’t expecting to see anyone. However, we had incredible luck and saw three different bears up pretty close.
And we had to include Rina cooling off:
Poor chaps, but being able to put your nose into a cool pool a very pleasant retirement. Would have quite liked it this very afternoon.
and lady chaps too..
Love the bears but alas have no bear puns
That seems bearly possible ( sorry)
Seemed to me they each had their own pool – sort of en-suite sanctuary – they did all seem v relaxed.
Love the bears. V good to see them in appropriate conditions
xx
The conditions were very good – felt like an excellent project. There also a surprisingly good restaurant ( for visitors – the bears had had enough of restaurants by the time they were rescued I suspect).
These folks are bear-ly bears – look like they’re in a resort! Our BC grizzlies will start a revolt if they catch wind of the pampering in Kosovo…
I’m sure you’re right! Would the BC grizzlies jump in their trucks and mount a blockade?
Those bears look almost soft and cuddly revelling in the pleasures of pampering. X
They did seem VERY relaxed
Rina is hilarious!!
Yes, she was my favourite. I find oddly moving her dislike of cucumber…
Well Rina seems to have the life of riley with a level of luxury which goes far beyond the bare necessities (boom, boom). I am intrigued to know what happened to ‘her mate’ with whom she shared a cage for all those years.
Thanks for the pun. Tina doesn’t like to discuss her past relationships so nobody knows what happened…