Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach (dpa/lsw) - Two brown bears liberated in Lithuania have found shelter in the Alternative Black Forest Wolf and Bear Park. The animals, which had lived illegally in a Lithuanian amusement park for more than ten years, were brought to Germany in a "winter rescue operation". This was announced by Bärenpark Managing Director Bernd Nonnenmacher.
The brown bears Julija and Jana arrived safely at the facility in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach in the Freudenstadt district on Friday. In November, the animals were reportedly confiscated by Lithuanian authorities after an animal welfare organization campaigned for the bears. Cold and snow significantly affected the rescue operation, as reported by Nonnenmacher.
The Bear Foundation also maintains the five-hectare alternative Bear Park Worbis in Thuringia. The facilities are sanctuaries for wild animals in distress.
