The animal protection organization ‘Four Paws’ has been fighting for four years for four bears that are kept by private owners in ‘appalling conditions’ in Slovenia. And yet it has still not been possible to take them to the Arbesbach bear park in the Waldviertel.
Animal rights activists complain that authorities have remained inactive so far, even though legal requirements are not being met and the animals are being housed in ways other than those appropriate to the species.
One of the original five bears also died recently, and the remaining four also had serious health problems, a veterinarian discovered during a visit to the site. “It is a scandal that EU country Slovenia allows animals to vegetate to such an extent,” Four Paws director Eva Rosenberg criticized Monday. The bears have lived for decades in cramped cages, on bare concrete, without protection from the weather, without adequate food or medical care. “We have to finally get them out.”
The condition of the bears is worrying
Three of the bears are kept in cages in restaurants and one is in a private zoo. The animals’ teeth are in a disastrous condition, which must cause immense pain. They are also said to exhibit stereotypical behavior. Veterinarian Julia Bohner of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research made an alarming diagnosis last year: “I urgently recommend taking the bears to a species-appropriate conservation center to prevent further physical and psychological damage.”
Keeping bears is actually no longer a private matter
Since 2004, it has been effectively prohibited for private individuals to keep bears in Slovenia, although (former) owners were given a permit as a transitional arrangement. The law requires an outdoor enclosure of 150 square feet per bear and 20 square feet for each additional bear. There is also an indoor living area and a swimming pool. In addition to fresh food, including fish, meat, fruits and vegetables, there should be a structured enclosure with a natural floor and climbing facilities. “During both visits we found that none of the owners were keeping the bears in accordance with the law. That alone should alert the authorities,” Rosenberg said.
Source: Krone
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