Dori: The Moving Story of an Orphaned Bear
Illegal wildlife trafficking continues to flourish across Europe, as the story of Dori illustrates. The male brown bear cub was only a few weeks old when it was offered for sale online for 5'000 euros.
Following its seizure, he was taken in by BEAR SANCTUARY Pristina, a rescue center run by the global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS.
The experienced team temporarily took the orphaned bear in distress into their care and is prepared to provide Dori with a permanent home.
Dori’s story is truly heartbreaking and demonstrates the immense suffering caused by the wildlife trade. At just a few weeks old, he was made an orphan and robbed of the chance to grow up with his mother in the wild and live a life in nature. Since his arrival at BEAR SANCTUARY Pristina in March, Dori has developed into a playful young bear who loves to climb trees. The sanctuary has quickly become his home, and we would be delighted to give him a happy future here that is appropriate for his species, says Patricia Tiplea, responsible for planning and implementing rescues at FOUR PAWS.
Since Dori will require species-appropriate care for the rest of his life, FOUR PAWS has already offered the responsible authorities a permanent placement at BEAR SANCTUARY Pristina. Unfortunately, release back into the wild is no longer possible in his case, as too much time has already passed for that, according to bear rehabilitation experts. Initially, Dori had to be fed special milk every three hours. He has since grown into a strong, four-month-old bear weighing 22 kilograms. His menu now includes boiled eggs, apples, and carrots.
FOUR PAWS warns against “rescuing” orphaned bear cubs «»
The private individual who offered Dori for sale on the internet claimed to have found him alone in the wilderness in the Librazhd district, east of the Albanian capital Tirana. FOUR PAWS strongly warns against taking in bear cubs or other wild baby animals that appear to be orphaned and abandoned. Instead, local authorities and wildlife experts should be alerted in order to find a safe and legal solution in the best interest of the animal.
BEAR SANCTUARY Pristina
Just 20 kilometres from the Kosovo capital, the BEAR SANCTUARY Pristina currently houses 19 rescued bears on a 16-hectare forested site. Since 2013, the sanctuary has provided a safe and species-appropriate home for rescued brown bears originating from captivity in Kosovo and Albania. Under the leadership of the globally active animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS, the sanctuary has developed into a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can explore nature trails, observe the bears in their natural surroundings, and learn about animal welfare and the unique stories of each bear.
