In the bear forest “Four Paws” in Arbesbach (Lower Austria), everything was already prepared for the arrival of the rugged new addition. But unscrupulous wildlife traders ruined all plans.
“We already had the contractual security in place to free the wild animals that were kept in far too small cages in a hotel restaurant in the Tomorr National Park and move them to our Waldviertler Meister Petz paradise,” says nature director Barbara van Genne and general manager Eva Rosenberg of “Four Paws”.
But all valiant efforts to save the tortured creatures were in vain. Because from one day to the next, the bare concrete floor behind the rusty bars was suddenly empty.
“The authorities took too long!”
The two cubs had disappeared and are apparently in the hands of unscrupulous wildlife traffickers. In any case, the duo’s whereabouts are unknown. Van Genne blames the responsible ministry in the capital Tirana: “The authority took far too long with the seizure. It’s all too late now!”
Meanwhile, there is good news from Mark (whose godfather is the author of these lines). The bear, which was also released in Albania, is finally out of the forest after years of illness.
Since 2023, Four Paws has found shocking evidence of animal cruelty in Albania through the wildlife trade. More than 27 documented cases reveal the exploitation of big cats and other wild animals for the illegal trade as pets or for selfie attractions. This horrific situation of wild animals being exploited on social media, in music videos and even in restaurants and hotels is a cause for concern. There is a risk that uncontrolled breeding and trading of big cats without a permit takes place in Albania. The Vienna-based animal protection organization is urging authorities to take more aggressive action against these abuses and strengthen animal protection laws, including a permanent ban on the private keeping of big cats and bears.
The number of illegally kept big cats in Albania is worryingly high. It is estimated that there are currently 60 to 80 big cats being held illegally in private captivity. Most of these cases of animal exploitation and abuse come to light through social media, making real-life prosecution difficult. Information about missing bear cubs and the fate of many big cats is also lacking. ‘Four Paws’ suspects an international network for legal and illegal trafficking in Albania, with connections to other countries, especially Serbia.
“Four Paws” freed the last “restaurant bear” in Albania at the end of 2022 – based on its own research and information available at the time – and brought him to the Arbesbach bear forest. “The rescue of Bear Mark was an important milestone for animal protection in Albania, but the recent disappearance of the bear cubs shows that there is still much to be done. The importance of the historic rescue mission can only be preserved if authorities pay more attention to improving animal welfare rules and better protecting wildlife,” says van Genne.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
