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Bear Mitko in Slovenia

Help Bears in Slovenia


Help us put pressure on the Slovenian authorities to end the suffering of the captive bears 

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Asiatic black bear in a cage

Help Bears in Vietnam


Help us put pressure on the Hanoi government to end bear farming for good

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Bear Vova before rescue

bears in need


With your support we can help these desperate bears

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Happy bear in a feld

Our solution


A new life for rescued animals in our bear sanctuaries

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The Saddest Bears Need Our Help

Bears are still kept in appalling conditions. Their owners often use them for profit. Whether for bile extraction or as tourist attractions – hundreds of bears are exploited and tortured to make money.

The Saddest Bears Need Our Help

#SaddestBears

Bears are still kept in appalling conditions. Their owners often use them for profit. Whether for bile extraction or as tourist attractions – hundreds of bears are exploited and tortured to make money.

#SaddestBears#SaddestBears
Austria
France
Germany
Switzerland (German)
Switzerland (French)
US

Our Mission

Our goal is to end the suffering of bears kept in conditions not suited to their species, worldwide. Find out more about the abuse of bears and the work of FOUR PAWS to rescue and protect bears in need.

Bear in Vietnam

Help for Bears in Vietnam

Many bears still live in tiny cages on so-called 'bear farms', abused for bile extraction

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Bear in a cage in Albania

Help for Bears in Southeast Europe

Caged bears in Southeast Europe abused as pets and tourist attractions

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Bear behind bars in Ukraine

Help for Bears in Ukraine

Captive brown bears still suffer on hunting stations and for entertainment purposes

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Bear Michal in his forrmer keeping

Help for Bears in Poland

FOUR PAWS successfully ended the private keeping of bears in 2016

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Bear in the moat of a castle in Czech Republic

Help for Bears in Czech Republic

FOUR PAWS aims to help bears in poor living conditions across the country

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Bear used in entertainment

Help for Bears in France

No more abuse of bears for entertainment as of end of 2023

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Recent Updates

Read here our press releases, animal rescue stories and updates on the #SaddestBears campaign!

Bear Mitko in his tiny cage in Slovenia

Five Immediate Steps to Protect Slovenia’s Captive Bears

Do not wait – Mici, Tim, and Mascha are relying on your support

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Altiagac Centre in Azerbaijan

FOUR PAWS Helps Rescued Bears in Azerbaijan

Wildlife experts prevent breeding and improve keeping conditions at rescue centre

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Bear Na on her way to BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh

20 Years of Suffering: FOUR PAWS Rescues Former Bile Bear

Without increased action, Vietnam’s remaining bile bears will continue to suffer and slowly die

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Bear Vinzenz and Brumca

Achievements for Captive Brown Bears in Europe

Milestones of the #SaddestBears campaign

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Emergency Rescue of Bile Bear Khanh

The Quiet Suffering of Vietnam’s Bile Bears Continues

No hope for recovery: FOUR PAWS lost fight for bile bear’s life shortly after emergency rescue

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Bear Mark

Albania’s last ‘restaurant bear’ is rescued

FOUR PAWS transfers bear Mark to its BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach in Austria

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Bear Iva in North Macedonia

Rescue Bear Iva

Trapped for the first 6 years of her life

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Help us create a better world for Bears!

Campaign Details

FAQs about our 'Saddest Bears Initiative'

Learn more about our work to help bears.

Achievements for captive brown bears in Europe

Find out more about milestones of the #SaddestBears campaign.

Meet some of our rescued bears

Read our success stories and learn more about their new lives.

Are you a journalist?

Contact our press team today with your questions and to set up an interview with one of our experts in the field. Read our newest press releases about bears here.

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