Six thousand bears
The estimated brown bear population of the Romanian Carpathians.
Whitepixels — CC0 · Andrei Dan Suciu — CC BY 3.0 · Andrei Dan Suciu — CC BY 3.0 · Andrei Dan Suciu — CC BY 3.0
A zoo in the Noua valley south-east of Brasov, in woodland on the city's edge, concentrating on European species and animals rescued from illegal captivity. The more important context is what surrounds the zoo rather than what is in it: the Romanian Carpathians hold the largest population of brown bears in Europe outside Russia, estimated at over six thousand, along with wolves and lynx. Romania is among the last places in Europe where these species survive in large numbers, because its mountain forests were never fragmented as they were in the west of the continent. That also creates a genuine problem: bear encounters with people are increasing near the mountain towns, and Brasov is among the most affected. Bears enter neighbourhoods looking for rubbish, and attacks occur annually. The authorities issue warnings and install bear-resistant bins. An important practical point for a visitor: do not go looking for bears around Brasov at night, and do not stop to feed them on mountain roads — a common, dangerous and legally prohibited practice. Practical points: entry is inexpensive. Reached by bus or car from the centre.
The estimated brown bear population of the Romanian Carpathians.
Why these species survive here and vanished in western Europe.
A common practice on mountain roads, dangerous and legally prohibited.
Noua valley, south-east of Brasov
The danger is real but manageable. Bears enter the city's edges and hillside neighbourhoods looking for rubbish, and attacks occur annually, some fatal. The rules are simple: do not walk in the forest at dusk or at night, do not leave food in a camp or an open car, and do not stop to photograph or feed a bear on the road. Feeding is what brings them close to people in the first place.
The Libearty Bear Sanctuary near Zărnești, about thirty kilometres from Brasov, is the world's largest brown bear sanctuary and houses bears rescued from cages and restaurants. Visits are by pre-booked tour at set times. That is the responsible option — not searching for them in the wild and not roadside sightings.
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