Zărnești LiBEARty Bear Sanctuary, Nature reserve near Zărnești, Romania
The Zărnești LiBEARty Bear Sanctuary is a nature reserve near the town of Zărnești in Romania, set on a forested hill where rescued brown bears live in a large, open woodland. The land includes old oak trees, streams, and pools, giving the animals room to climb, roam, and rest.
The sanctuary was founded in 2005 and opened to visitors in 2008, in response to the widespread practice in Romania of keeping bears in small cages at restaurants, circuses, and gas stations. It was created in memory of a bear named Maya, whose story helped inspire the project.
Visits are only possible as part of a guided tour that follows a forest trail, so there is no self-guided access to the site. Children under five are not admitted, and buying tickets online in advance is strongly recommended to secure a spot.
The sanctuary is also home to wolves and deer rescued from harm, not only bears. One tour option places visitors inside a bunker in the middle of a large enclosure, allowing them to observe the bears from a few feet away without disturbing them.
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