DD Animal News – After spending 34 years confined to a barren concrete cage beside a roadside restaurant in Kočevje, Slovenia, one of the country’s last remaining “restaurant bears” is finally free. Felix, a 34-year-old brown bear, was rescued by global animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS on May 8 and transported to BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach in Lower Austria, where he’s now starting a brand-new chapter.
The rescue is part of a growing movement to end the private keeping of wild animals in unsuitable conditions—and for Felix, it’s a long-overdue second chance.
A Lifetime Behind Bars
For more than three decades, Felix lived in a small enclosure, never feeling soil under his paws or experiencing the simple joys of a natural habitat. His rescue followed a FOUR PAWS public campaign that rallied nearly 100,000 supporters calling for the release of five Slovenian bears kept in poor private conditions. There are a handful of restaurants in the country that have bears caged outside of the restaurant, which will commonly serve bear meat on the menu.
In February, Felix’s owner finally agreed to surrender him, and the wheels were set in motion to move him to a place where he could live out his remaining years in comfort and dignity. Felix lived with a bear named Mascha who passed away in 2024 before she was able to be rescued.
“At 34 years, bear Felix is a lovely oldie, and it fills us with joy to finally provide him with a bear-worthy life for the time he has left,” said Patricia Tiplea, Head of Wild Animal Rescue and Advocacy at FOUR PAWS. “Right after his arrival, he started to familiarize himself with his enclosure and enjoyed some snacks, which is a good sign.”
His First Taste of Freedom
Felix’s eight-hour journey to Austria was supervised by an expert team, including a wildlife veterinarian from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Once at the sanctuary, Felix didn’t hesitate—he stepped out of his transport box, drank water, dug his first pit, built a straw bed, and explored his new surroundings with curiosity and care.
Now, for the first time in his life, Felix has access to a 1,600 m² forested enclosure. It’s designed specifically for senior bears and features shady trees, a large pond, and soft ground—perfect for an old bear with joint pain and impaired vision. His indoor space is lined with hay and straw, providing warmth and comfort.
For now, Felix will spend his first few weeks in a smaller acclimatization area while his caretakers develop a personalized care plan to support his age-related needs.
A Bittersweet Victory
While Felix’s story is one of triumph, not all of his peers were so lucky. Two other bears meant to be rescued alongside him have already passed away in captivity. Two more—Mici and Tim—remain in poor conditions in Slovenia.
FOUR PAWS is urging their owners to follow Felix’s lead and give these bears a chance at a better life. Supporters can add their voice by signing the organization’s ongoing petition calling for an end to private bear keeping in Slovenia.
The Future is Brighter
BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach, where Felix now lives, is home to three other rescued brown bears—Brumca, Erich, and Mark—and spans 14,000 m² of forested habitat. It’s one of seven sanctuaries operated by FOUR PAWS across Europe.
After a life of loneliness and concrete, Felix is finally home. And this time, it comes with trees, fresh air, and the dignity every animal deserves.
