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Felix the bear jumps into the water: A new life in the Arbesbach bear forest!
Bear Felix, 34, explores the Arbesbach bear forest for the first time after rescuing FOUR PAWS - a milestone in animal protection.
Felix the bear jumps into the water: A new life in the Arbesbach bear forest!
Today there is a happy reason to report: Felix the bear entered a pond in the Arbesbach bear forest for the first time in his life. The 34-year-old bear was rescued by the animal welfare organization Four paws rescued and now has the opportunity to live in a species-appropriate environment. Felix previously lived in poor conditions on cold concrete in Slovenia for many years.
A few days ago he ended his three-week quarantine and moved into a new enclosure that is around 14,000 square meters in size. This area offers enough space for species-appropriate husbandry and the team Four paws was pleased with Felix's first Erk exploration in the pond and the new environment. He was active, sniffing trees and digging in the ground.
First impressions and needs
After his explorations, Felix retreated to his small cave to rest and gather strength. Although he takes painkillers for his age-related osteoarthritis, he remains active and interested in his surroundings. He accepts the enrichment offered to him well by catching treats from wooden tubes with his claws. He particularly likes grapes, watermelons, cucumbers and lettuce.
A total of four brown bears currently live in the Arbesbach bear forest: in addition to Felix, these are Brumca, Erich and Mark. Visitors have the opportunity to observe the animals daily between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and take part in guided tours through the bear forest.
Commitment to bears in need
Felix's story is part of the larger commitment of Four paws, which has been supporting bears in need since 1998. The organization has since uncovered numerous abuses in bear farming and is working to improve conditions for keeping brown bears in Europe. Bears like Felix should not only be rescued from unfortunate situations, but should also find a safe and species-appropriate home in protection centers.
The organization is currently also committed to rescuing the bears Tim and Mici, who have to live in poor conditions in Slovenia. Felix's arrival shows how important such rescues are, as two bears have already died in the past year. Four Paws appeals to the owners of Mici and Tim to give these bears a chance for a better life.