Albania's last 'restaurant bear' freed

After greater than 20 years in captivity, Mark, the final of Albania’s ‘restaurant bears’, has safely arrived at his new residence, a wildlife sanctuary in Austria, based on the animal rescue group Four Paws International.

So-called ‘restaurant bears’ have traditionally been saved in tiny cages close to eating places or resorts, the place they served as an attraction for vacationers, based on Four Paws.

In 2016, the non-profit group launched the ‘Saddest Bears’ marketing campaign in an effort to relocate the greater than 30 bears getting used as leisure within the nation.

Mark, the final of Albania’s ‘restaurant bears’, was saved in a cramped cage for greater than 20 years till his launch. (AP)

Mark, a 24-year previous brown bear, is the final identified ‘restaurant bear’ in Albania, based on a news launch from Four Paws, though there are different bears in captivity in poor circumstances within the nation.

He was rescued final week and arrived at his new residence, “BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach” in Austria on Friday.

When Four Paws first encountered Mark, the animal was affected by extreme well being issues. He was obese, had damaged enamel and displayed “abnormal” behaviours comparable to pacing as a result of lack of stimulation in his cramped cage.

The bear launched into a 44-hour journey to his new residence, based on the organisation. He travelled by means of North Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary earlier than lastly reaching the sanctuary.

Animal rescuers moved Mark, the final of Albania’s ‘restaurant bear’, after he was tranquillized. (AP)

But he was “calm and relaxed” through the trek, based on Four Paws.

“We made regular stops for our accompanying vet to check on him and fed him with fruits and vegetables,” Magdalena Scherk-Trettin, who coordinates Four Paws’ wild animal rescue and advocacy tasks, stated.

“After receiving an inappropriate diet of restaurant leftovers and mainly bread for two decades, he was a little reluctant about the vegetables, but munched happily on the grapes we gave him.”

Mark was sluggish to discover his snowy new habitat, based on Four Paws. He hadn’t stepped exterior a cage in additional than 20 years. He’ll keep in a smaller out of doors enclosure in the meanwhile till he adjusts to his new surroundings and strikes to a bigger enclosure.

A sedated Mark was taken on a 44-hour journey throughout Central Europe to an animal sanctuary in Austria the place he was launched. (AP)

The sanctuary in Arbesbach has operated since 1988, based on its web site. Mark will be part of three different rescued grizzly bears who reside on 14,000 sq. metres of “natural surroundings.”

“With Mark’s rescue we ended the cruel practice of keeping him next to a restaurant to attract and entertain visitors,” Four Paws’ president Josef Pfabigan.

“We are now one step closer to a world where people treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding.”