Bear Sanctuary Prishtina, Animal shelter and zoo in Prishtina, Kosovo
Bear Sanctuary Prishtina is a rescue facility spanning roughly 16 hectares of natural terrain with forests, ponds, and climbing structures. The design allows rescued brown bears to move freely and naturally within their enclosures.
Kosovo banned private bear ownership in 2010, which led to the establishment of this sanctuary in 2013. It was created specifically to rescue bears that had been kept in cages at restaurants.
The Educational Center runs programs for children using outdoor classrooms and nature trails that focus on animal welfare. Visitors observe how the space connects education about nature protection to hands-on learning experiences.
The facility is best explored on foot during daylight hours to see all areas comfortably. Wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven and often damp from water features and vegetation.
Each of the roughly 20 bears living here has a personal information display with its own rescue story. These plaques reveal that many came from restaurants across Kosovo and Albania where they had suffered.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.