Bear Sanctuary

OH MY GOD I’VE BEEN TO THE SANCTUARY AND IT’S THE MOST AMAZING PLACE IN THE WORLD!!!!
Sorry, I’ll try and calm down. I’ve just got back from my first visit and it’s just stunning up there. It’s up in the mountains with views that go on for miles and there are loads of random dogs that come and greet you, some of which want to be friends straight away and others who are still a bit wary of me but are friendly with the other people….and then there are the bears - WOW!!!

They are in large natural habitat enclosures (i.e. the fences have just been put in around trees etc that have been there for years, no landscaping or anything) which have sturdy fences on them which then have electric fences on the inside, so you can put your hands through the outside bit to get your camera in or throw in food or whatever but they know to keep their distance from the edge because they get a shock. They are absolutely beautiful animals, and their fur is really fluffy and shiny as though they’ve just stepped out of a salon! Some of them come over to the edge of the enclosure to see you and sniff you when you arrive. They are absolutely amazing! Last word today is WOW!!!

Click here to find out more

Written by Emily Barclay

My experience in Romania has been amazing; I’m halfway through my 3 months here and am already making plans to return next year. Brasov is a great place to be based. The flat I’m in is lovely and only 5 minutes walk from the town centre. Our rep is called Razvan and he is friendly, funny and approachable. He speaks excellent English and looks after us very well.

I’m involved in 2 very different placements. I work at a children’s orphanage 2 days a week and at a bear sanctuary for 3 days a week. At the orphanage I work at the children are aged between 12 months and 16 years and are all severely physically and mentally disabled. It can be distressing at times but also a joy to see a child respond to something you do or to a toy you’ve brought in for them. I brought a little hand-held keyboard in for one child and he loved it so much he wore the batteries out within hours! I take as many children as possible to the playroom with the physiotherapist, who is marvelous and very dedicated to the children. I play with the children, give cuddles and play music for them. All of the children can communicate on some level - a smile, a particular noise, a clap and it is so rewarding to have this interaction with them. You don’t need experience, just compassion, patience and a lot of love to give.

My other placement is at a bear sanctuary in Zarnesti which is a 25 minute drive from Brasov. It is set in beautiful countryside overlooked by mountains and is a wonderful, tranquil place to work. There are horses and donkeys in the fields, sanctuary dogs running around and the occasional Romanian shepherd wandering by with his flock. I work with Laci, the manager, his wife Emi and her Aunty Zita. They live in Brasov so I travel there and back with them. They are very friendly and have a great sense of humour and even though Laci is the only one who can speak English we can all communicate and they are good company. Read the rest of this entry »

We are delighted to be sending volunteers to a newly-opened bear sanctuary near Brasov. The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has recently constructed a sanctuary near Brasov which will enable captive bears to be re-homed in 10 hectares of forest.

The sanctuary will also have an educational centre to try to improve human attitudes to bears. Once Romania’s captive bear problem has been resolved, it will be used for rescuing captive bears from other European countries. It’s a great chance to get close to brown bears, long disappeared from the British landscape, and to be involved in something very positive.

Most of them have never had the chance to learn how to survive in the wild and volunteers will be able to watch their progress as they get used to living in woodland rather than a cage. You’ll have the advantage of working in the peace of the forest, but staying in Brasov, a bustling city with beautiful streets and plenty of bars and cafes.

There’s a ski resort nearby and some great places to explore. This placement is available from 1 week to three months so there is opportunity for people from all walks of life to help out.

For more information contact: lara@oysterworldwide.com