Although bears are long feared as dangerous and nearly hunted to extinction, bears are actually quite peace-loving creatures. In the wild, these solitary omnivores spend up to 16 hours a day looking for food and roaming through fixed territories. There are eight bear species in the world, Ursus sp.
Despite their size and strength, bears struggle to survive in the wild. Today, bears are found in dwindling protected areas and more likely to suffer in captivity. Whether kept in zoos, circuses, bile farms, or privately as pets, bears suffer terribly under bad living conditions. In captivity trapped in small inadequate cages, they are unable to act out their natural instincts such as roaming and hibernating.
Since 1998, FOUR PAWS has rescued over 200 bears from captivity. From revealing bear suffering to rescuing and protecting bears in our sanctuaries, FOUR PAWS is fighting the illegal wildlife trade and advocating for better keeping conditions for bears. We also rescue bears from crisis regions and disaster areas.
