Alternativer Bärenpark Worbis, Wildlife park and zoo in Leinefelde-Worbis, Germany.
The Alternativer Bärenpark Worbis is a wildlife refuge on a former municipal zoo site at the edge of Leinefelde-Worbis. Its fenced enclosures are beech forest with two ponds and a small meadow, and only about a third of the area is visible to visitors; the rest serves as retreat for bears, wolves and lynxes.
The facility opened in 1996 on the site of a former municipal zoo and became Germany's first dedicated bear sanctuary. The Aktion Bärenhilfswerk organization took over operations and transformed it into a refuge for rescued animals.
The park features an educational trail that shows visitors how bears are mistreated around the world, including practices like bear dancing and fighting. This helps guests understand why sanctuaries like this one matter.
The park operates on different schedules depending on the season, from 10:00 to 18:00 between April and September. From October through March, closing time follows sunset, so visiting earlier in the day is recommended.
The park was created to rescue bears from circuses and private ownership, many carrying physical and psychological scars. Visitors can watch these animals gradually learn to behave naturally again.
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