Bear Sanctuary Prishtina

For many years, there was no law against keeping brown bears in Kosovo. All privately kept brown bears lived in small cages at restaurants and were used to attract visitors.

In November 2010, when it became illegal to keep bears privately, FOUR PAWS reacted immediately, offering the government our support in finding a species-appropriate home for these “restaurant bears”. According to the research conducted by our experts, fifteen brown bears were being kept under such miserable conditions in Kosovo at this time.

Thankfully, our negotiations led to quick results; a contract was drawn up, which authorized FOUR PAWS as the only organisation to keep brown bears in Kosovo. An agreement with the capital city, Prishtina, granted us the cost-free utilisation of a 16 hectare forest area.