A bear sanctuary in southeast Switzerland is to become home to two bears from a zoo in North Macedonia.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
The 2.8 hectare Arosa sanctuary works with the Four Paws animal welfare NGO to offer improved conditions for bears that are already in captivity. Two bears are already in residence at the facility that can accommodate five animals.
On Thursday, it was announced that an agreement had been reached with Skopje Zoo to offer a home for two of its four bears – a brother and sister aged 18-years-old.
The Skopje Zoo bear enclosure needs a maintenance overhaul and it was decided it would be better to house only two animals in future.
Arrangements are being made to transport the two bears across several countries and no exact date has been set for their arrival in Switzerland.
Their new home will “provide many new opportunities for the siblings and will allow them to live a bear-friendly life”, said Arosa Bear Foundation president Pascal Jenny. “Bears need a lot of space and the opportunity to bathe, climb and hibernate.”
The Arosa Bear Sanctuary has attracted 240,000 visitors since it started operating in August 2018.
Its two current residents are called Meimo and Amelia. Two other bears that were once housed at the sanctuary have since died.
Popular Stories
More
Banking & Fintech
UBS releases ‘hundreds’ of staff in fresh wave of job cuts
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Switzerland targets 65% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035
This content was published on
Switzerland has set an ambitious goal to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.
Switzerland cuts foreign aid to Albania, Bangladesh and Zambia
This content was published on
This decision comes after the parliament allocated less funding for foreign aid in December than the government had requested.
Switzerland to end international adoptions by 2026
This content was published on
Swiss citizens will no longer be able to adopt children from abroad. The government plans to halt these adoptions to prevent potential abuses.
Home ownership costs in Switzerland up by 2% in 2024
This content was published on
Home ownership in Switzerland became slightly more expensive in 2024. Central Switzerland has the priciest single-family homes at CHF1.78 million.
This content was published on
Six months into his tenure, Vice Chancellor Andrea Arcidiacono said he will leave the Federal Chancellery at the end of March.
Swiss Muslim campaigner faces defamation complaint
This content was published on
The Vaudois Union of Muslim Associations continues its defamation complaint against Saïda Keller-Messahli for her remarks in Le Matin Dimanche.
DRC fighting: UN reports rape and relocates non-essential staff
This content was published on
The UN has moved non-essential staff from Goma in the DRC, after M23 rebels entered on Monday. Reports of rape and looting have emerged.
This content was published on
Several people reported seeing the bear on Sunday afternoon in Zernez on the border of the Swiss National Park in eastern Switzerland, but said it ran off as soon as it noticed them. Georg Brosi from the cantonal office for hunting and fishing said the bear, whose traces in the snow indicate that it is…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.