Felix, the restaurant bear: rescue from Slovenia in Arbesbach!

Felix, the restaurant bear: rescue from Slovenia in Arbesbach!

Felix, a 34-year-old brown bear from Slovenia, will soon be rescued by the animal protection organization Four Paws. He has lived in a cramped enclosure as a “restaurant bear” for more than three decades and is now ready for a new start. The organization plans to transport Felix to the Arbesbach bear forest in Lower Austria in the coming weeks. The bear was vaccinated and dewormed in advance, while preparations for its journey are already underway. Felix's rescue represents a significant initiative to improve the lives of bears under the right conditions, such as oe24 reported.

In the Arbesbach bear forest, Felix is ​​given the chance to live under species-appropriate conditions and receive the necessary care. This place will offer him what he has missed in recent years: a life of peace and freedom. Felix will be the oldest bear in the Bear Forest and in all Four Paws sanctuaries. Unfortunately, his condition does not come without challenges as he suffers from age-related problems, including degenerative joint disease and impaired vision. Under natural conditions, brown bears reach a life expectancy of around 25 years, while in captivity they can live up to 50 years welttierschutz.org explained.

Felix's health and quality of life

Felix's rescue is not only a sign of royal care, but also a call to attention for other bears in need. Two other bears, Mici and Tim, continue to live in poor conditions and need urgent medical attention. Four Paws has called on the owners of these bears to give them a better life. Four Paws' campaign has mobilized nearly 100,000 supporters worldwide to advocate for the liberation of bears.

The GmbH points out that brown bears, which are among the largest land-dwelling mammals, have a global population of approximately 200,000. There are around 18,000 brown bears in Europe, whose habitat is limited to a few countries. In terms of subspecies, the Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) is mainly represented in Europe.

Felix's rescue highlights the need to review and improve the living conditions of animals in human care. Brown bears are solitary animals by nature and lead a life shaped by their natural environment. Their reproductive behavior occurs in a litter every 2-3 years, with a gestation period of six to nine months.

The rescue operation for Felix is ​​more than just the arrival of another bear in the bear forest. It is a ray of hope for improving the living conditions of animals in captivity and an example of action against the poor housing conditions that many bears suffer from. The return to freedom - even if only in a protected environment - is an important step in Four Paws' animal protection work and an appeal to others to also take responsibility.