In September 2011 I am taking part in a sponsored trek across the Carpathian Mountains of Romania to raise funds for the Bear Sanctuary situated there.  The WSPA funded Sanctuary is home to at least 40 bears, which have been rescued or confiscated as it is illegal to keep them captive in Romania. 

They have endured a miserable existence since cubs, being cruelly taken from their mothers, who were hunted and killed, some are not weaned off their mother's milk. 

They are then kept for the rest of their lives in undersized exposed cages or tethered, usually outside restaurants, or in back gardens being used to entertain or amuse unthinking tourists.   Many are underfed, underwatered and are denied any freedom, especially in freezing conditions when they usually hibernate They rarely receive veterinary treatment.  There are more bears, which need to be rescued, and I hope you will help me to raise sufficient funds to make it possible for me to do the trek.  I need to raise at least  £2500 for the bears.

£15   could pay for food for a rescued bear for 1 week

£25   will pay for a day's training for a new sanctuary staff member

£50   will pay for an undercover investgator's time to gather evidence of illegal animal cruelty

£100 could pay to look after a rescued bear for a month

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

www.justgiving.com/iansbeartrek

A place of sanctuary - WSPA Bear Sanctuary

 

Alongside a large wild bear population, Romania is also home to captive bears used as tourist attractions in restaurants, on roadsides and in private zoos.

 

Caged in cramped and unnatural surroundings, with poor nutrition, the illegally-held bears endure miserable lives.

Romania’s animal welfare concerns also include bears living in outdated zoos, which have failed to meet EU regulations.

Although Romanian law protects bears from abusive and poor environments, with no place for authorities to house confiscated bears, the law has not been enforced.

Bears held in captivity for long periods may be ill-equipped to survive in the wild. However they can experience a vastly improved quality of life in large, enclosed forested areas.

WSPA is working with member society Milioane de Prieteni (MP) to create a sanctuary for Romania’s captive bears, consisting of several large woodland enclosures with additional quarantine and veterinary areas.

It will:

Enable bears being held in illegal or poor captive conditions to be confiscated and receive long-term care. Transform the lives of bears from abusive or inappropriate surroundings, allowing them to display natural behaviour. Help eradicate the capture and subsequent cruel exploitation of bears in Romania, by empowering the Government to enforce the law. In future, look at developing a rehabilitation and release programme for cubs brought into the sanctuary, enabling orphaned bear cubs to return to the wild.

We have rescued and placed 34 bears in the sanctuary to date, with plans to move in another 30 from poor or illegal conditions.

Safeguarding bears tomorrow The sanctuary site will include an education centre for local people, school children and tourists. Visitors will be able to view the bears from platforms at a distance from the fenced enclosures While the bears have the freedom to roam throughout the forested areas.

The education centre is a vital part of this project and of safeguarding the wild bear population. It will:

 

Improve public awareness and change attitudes and behaviour towards bears, reducing bear–human conflict. Help to raise the profile of animal welfare throughout Eastern Europe. Enable the sanctuary to become self sufficient through visitor entrance fees.

Provide a venue for national and international wildlife meetings on the protection of wildlife in Europe.