Bear Sanctuary Prishtina

For decades, brown bears in Kosovo were kept illegally in small cages outside restaurants, used as roadside attractions to lure customers. These “restaurant bears” endured cramped conditions, poor nutrition, and psychological trauma. With no legal framework to protect them, the practice persisted until international pressure and local advocacy led to reform.

In 2013, FOUR PAWS International partnered with Kosovo’s Ministry of Environment to establish Bear Sanctuary Prishtina. The sanctuary spans 16 hectares of forested terrain near Badovc Lake and provides lifelong care for rescued bears. Each enclosure is designed to mimic natural habitats, with trees, ponds, climbing structures, and hibernation shelters.

Currently home to over 20 brown bears, the sanctuary offers veterinary care, behavioral enrichment, and a safe environment for animals that cannot be returned to the wild. Many of the bears were rescued from Albania and Kosovo, and each has a documented rescue story shared with visitors.

Beyond animal care, the sanctuary serves as an educational center. Its “Thesaret e Natyrës” program teaches children and youth about biodiversity, animal rights, and environmental stewardship. Guided tours and exhibitions help raise awareness about the ethical treatment of wildlife.

Bear Sanctuary Prishtina stands as a model of compassionate conservation—transforming cruelty into care and offering a second chance to Kosovo’s most iconic mammals.