Bears captured for decades are being documented in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Reports from the public to support these bears have been sent to organizations working on welfare projects for captive bears, such as the BEARS FOUNDATION in Germany and Bears in Mind in the Netherlands. Together with Bosnian partners, Bears in Mind has been working on a permanent solution for these captive bears and progress was made in the past year. As part of the plan to build a bear sanctuary in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to learn more about a successful concept, a delegation from Bosnia – Republika Srpska to be precise – was invited by Bears in Mind and kindly received by the Foundation for Bears in their “Alternative Wolf-“. and Bear Park Black Forest” in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach, Germany.
Bernd Nonnenmacher – Executive Director of the Foundation for Bears – and his team provided insights into technical, organizational and financial details so that the Bosnian delegation could get an accurate picture of how such a project was built and what was essential to its success. For Bosnians, it was also very inspiring to hear the many stories behind the animals and the origin of this animal protection project.
From Bosnia were present Mr. Goran Zubić from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republika Srpska, Mr. Sretko Stanković from the public forest company JPŠ “Šume Republike Srpske” and Mr. Dejan Radošević from the Institute for Nature Conservation of the Republik Srpska and Mrs. Aleksandra-Anja Dragomirović – Vice President of the Center for Environment.
Ms. Ingrid Vermeulen, executive director and Mr. Koen Cuyten, project Manager were present from Bears in Mind.
A follow-up visit to the already specified location of the bear sanctuary in Bosnia and Herzegovina is planned as soon as possible.
