Since 2016 FOUR PAWS and other animal welfare organisations have rescued more than 30 brown bears from cruel keeping conditions in Albania. Together, we have provided these animals with bear-appropriate living conditions in wild animal sanctuaries. And yet, our work for bears in need in Albania is not over.
Currently, there is one bear left who is publicly exposed, and kept in a small cage close to a restaurant in Tirana. His name is Marc. His health situation is not good, and he desperately needs our help!
Although there has been international public pressure calling for an end to cruel bear keeping, we have considerable concerns that more bears and other wild animals are at risk. There are reports about orphaned bears found in the wild every year. Most of these bears end up in illegal private captivity or simply vanish without a trace.
Albania urgently needs to implement a sustainable solution for native wild animals in need. That’s why FOUR PAWS is calling on the Albanian authorities to better enforce the relevant legislation and establish a wild animal sanctuary in order to support bears and other native wild animals in need.
Please join us in encouraging the Minister of Tourism and Environment to stand up for better wildlife protection and establish a wild animal sanctuary in Albania!
Dear Minister of Tourism and Environment,
In 2017, FOUR PAWS handed over more than 400,000 signatures from our petition demonstrating international support for an end to cruel bear keeping in Albania.
Thanks to the great collaboration of Albanian authorities and animal welfare organisations, the cruel public keeping of bears close to restaurants in Albania has nearly come to an end. There is now one bear left held captive in the capital. We invite you to work with us to find a solution.
In addition, we ask you to do everything in your power to prevent bears and other wild animals from facing similar cruelty. Orphaned bear cubs are still being detected in unsuitable, captive conditions every year.
As an EU accession country and aspiring international touristic destination, Albania has the opportunity to set a good example by tackling shortcomings regarding animal welfare and conservation. Therefore, I kindly ask you to immediately enforce existing legislation to protect wildlife, and to establish a sanctuary for native wild animals in need of rescue and care.
Such a sanctuary would not only provide a safe haven for animals, but would also serve as a best practice example for sustainable tourism. It would enable the Albanian government to combine animal welfare and environmental protection, alongside touristic value, economic prospects, and public education.
Please stand up for our campaign and show that Albania is an exemplary EU candidate country that respects animal welfare and conservation standards.
Yours faithfully,