BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach provides rescued bears a life-long home in a near-natural habitat. Bears that have grown up in human care, unfortunately, can no longer be released into the wild. They have become too used to humans and their support. In captivity, these animals lose the vital instincts they would need for a life alone in the forest. Left to themselves, they are unable to survive. Many of our bears display severe behavioral disorders due to their former caged existence and require the special attention of our animal care staff.

FOUR PAWS aims to provide bears in human care with an environment that corresponds to their species. In our extensive wooded enclosures, our bears are able to rediscover their instincts and act out their natural behavior. 

Visitors can take a self-guided tour along an over 1,600-foot-long, circular route, which is a barrier-free path, to look for the bears or they can get a guided tour through the sanctuary. Visitors will get to see the bears splashing around in the pond, searching for food, taking an after-lunch nap in the shade, or just enjoying their life as a bear. Dogs can also accompany the visitors on a leash and explore the many exciting things at our sanctuary.

Guided tours offer a deeper insight into this animal protection project as well as some exciting facts and interesting stories about the brown bears. You can find out more about the tours here.