For more than two decades, these bears have endured unimaginable suffering in cramped cages, with Mascha enduring this sad state for over 30 agonising years. Tragically, Felix, who spent over three decades alongside Mascha, recently passed away without the medical intervention he desperately needed. In September 2024 FOUR PAWS was informed that bear Mitko had been euthanised! Apparently he was not feeling well and this owner called a vet to check on him. The vet decided to euthanise bear Mitko. Despite clear signs of distress and the urgent need for medical attention, the authorities in Slovenia have turned a blind eye to their suffering.

FOUR PAWS is ready to step in, ready to rescue and relocate them to one of our sanctuaries. But we cannot do it alone! Your contribution today could mean the difference between a life of misery and a future filled with love and care.

Please join our call and help us to rescue Mici, Tim and Mascha before it is too late.

Send an e-mail to the Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia and demand him to take responsibility for the captive bears in his country, to finally end their suffering and order a confiscation. Take action now!

Leave a message on the Social Media channels of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, which is responsible for the keeping conditions of the bears, and of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, which is responsible for the welfare of the bears. You can help urge the authorities to finally act and end the suffering for these bears, before it is too late. Here are some posting suggestions:

• Why do you allow bears in Slovenia suffer? Take action now! #SaddestBears
• Bears in Slovenia suffer, but only because your ministry refuses to help them! Get active now! #SaddestBears
• Finally take responsibility and save the captive bears in Slovenia! Get active now! #SaddestBears

Have you already visited Slovenia and seen bears Mici, Tim or Mascha suffering in their cages? If so, please write a critical review of your visit on a travel review platform, such as Tripadvisor, Google Reviews or Expedia.  

Are you friends or colleagues travelling to Slovenia this year? Tell them about the suffering of the bears and ask them to support FOUR PAWS protest. Share the campaign with your friends and family after you signed our action.

Do you have a travel agency nearby that advertises trips to Slovenia? If so, print out this flyer and give it to your travel agency, with the request to support us in our efforts to rescue the bears in Slovenia. Travel agencies can exert pressure on the authorities by, for example, by no longer actively offering holidays to Slovenia. They can also help by sending a critical message to the Slovenian Tourist Board.

Are you visiting a tourism fair this year, such as the International Tourismus Messe in Berlin or Ferien-Messe Wien? Slovenia has exhibition stands at these fairs. Print out the flyer and hand it over. Talk to the exhibition staff and confront them with the fact that bears are suffering in poor captivity in Slovenia because the authorities are doing nothing. Ask the staff to pass on your criticism to the authorities in Slovenia, who are responsible:

• The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, is responsible for the health & welfare of the bears.
• The Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning is responsible for the keeping conditions of the bears and can order the confiscation of the animals.