In 1998, when brown bears were declared a protected species, the medieval tradition of making them dance became illegal. The Bulgarian government has since opened a brown bear sanctuary to rescue the dancing bears into a safe retirement where they can roam freely – unmuzzled and unchained for the rest of their days to come.
DANCING BEARS PARK Belitsa, located in the Rila Mountains was opened in 2000 and extended in 2004. FOUR PAWS has rescued 28 former dancing bears and provided them with new species-appropriate homes. 🐻 ♥️ Bulgaria’s last 3 dancing bears were rescued by Four Paws in 2007.
