Bear Michal in his forrmer keeping

Bears in Poland

FOUR PAWS successfully ended the private keeping of bears in 2016

20.8.2021

In 2012, the private keeping of bears was prohibited by law in Poland. At that time several bears were still living in appalling conditions in tiny cages within unlicensed zoos and other not species-appropriated facilities. Since there have been no adequate options to rehome those animals within the country, FOUR PAWS offered help to the authorities to work on a solution.

A major milestone

To end the private keeping of bears by relocating those animals within Poland itself, FOUR PAWS signed a cooperation agreement with the city of Poznań, which ended in November 2022. By signing the agreement, FOUR PAWS guaranteed funding for the construction of the most modern and spacious bear enclosure in Poland, at Zoo Poznań. At the same time, Zoo Poznań committed itself to apply the high FOUR PAWS quality standards during the construction phase as well as in the later management of the bear enclosure.

Timeline of activities

Rescue of bears Pietka & Wojtusia

December 2016

With the rescue of bears Pietka & Wojtusia from the mini zoo Braniewo and their transfer to the LARGE BEAR ENCLOSURE at Zoo Poznań, FOUR PAWS ended the private keeping of bears in Poland.

Rescued bears Ewka und Gienia

April 2016

FOUR PAWS rescues bears Ewka und Gienia from mini zoo Braniewo and transfers them to LARGE BEAR ENCLOSURE in Zoo Poznań.

Bear in a cage in Poland

November 2013

FOUR PAWS rescues bears Wania, Misza und Borys from temporary keeping in a shelter for domestic animals in Korabiewice and transfers them to LARGE BEAR ENCLOSURE in Zoo Poznań.

July 2013

Start of construction work of LARGE BEAR ENCLOSURE in Zoo Poznań.

FOUR PAWS signs a cooperation agreement

November 2012

FOUR PAWS signs a cooperation agreement with the city of Poznań with the aim to rescue the remaining seven brown bears illegally kept in Poland and to relocate them in the LARGE BEAR ENCLOSURE in Zoo Poznań.

May 2012

The private keeping of bears is prohibited by law in Poland!

Bear Michal at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

In 2011

FOUR PAWS becomes aware of the bad keeping conditions of bears in Poland and rescues three bears and transfers them to BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz. One of them is the three-legged bear Michal from mini zoo Braniewo.

Bear Michal at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz

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