Latest news from the DANCING BEARS PARK Belitsa
The Last Three “Dancing” Bears Find Liberty in Belitsa
The last “dancing” bears, registered in the entire European Union, were collected June 2007 from their former owners and settled in the Dancing Bears Park Belitsa, Bulgaria. Thus concluded the first phase of the largest in Europe project of the FOUR PAWS Foundation.
The three new inhabitants of the Park – the male bear Misho (19) and the females Svetla (17) and Mima (8) - overcame very well the initial adaptation period. Following the long transport from Razgrad to Belitsa (approximately 500 km), unavoidable anaesthetizing medicines, compulsory medical examinations, laboratory tests and dentist’s procedures they got puzzled by the new living environment, as well. Therefore at first they were released in Sector 3 (with an area of 10,000 m2) that is in close proximity to the specialized medical centre, and were put to round-the-clock watch by the expert personnel in the Park.
Immediately after their accommodation we found out that due to improper feeding the two female bears have problems with the teeth caries. Also Mishos owners have cut his front and canine teeth in a very barbarian way – with hacksaws and metal files. However, he has sound back teeth and can feed well. The following medical examinations of the new bears will be fulfilled in about 2-3 months, before they hibernate for the first time in their life.
 The first two days the three bears moved in a group, exploring the region – wood, glades, and lakes. They accepted quietly the other inhabitants from the neighbouring sectors and started tasting the food, most of it consisting of until recently unfamiliar fruit and vegetables – peaches, cherries, tomatoes, carrots and pears, which is becoming their favourite. They love to eat white bread, which is rich in calories, as well. Still for the time being they eat less – hardly half of the food that the other inhabitants consume.
After the third day, Misho started making a new den in the pinewood in a spot where no bears had lain so far. The at the beginning calm Svetla, apparently in her mating, became aggressive against the younger Mima and chased her away to the other end of the sector. Thus she gained a place close to Misho that he did not object and now they laze around in his new den all day long or walk together in the wood.
Only now, in freedom, they manifest their natural instincts and behaviour. Misho and Svetla form a family pair for the first time, while the lonely Mima has moved to a separate region, where she burrows holes by herself for a solitary den; she takes advantage of the absent-mindedness of the pair of lovers and bathes alone and undisturbed in the big pool.
 Besides the stress, connected with the change of place, during the last several days the three new bears had to accommodate to the unusual for the season and mountains around Belitza (the average altitude of the Park is about 1 250 m) temperature records – heats of over 40 centigrade. The animals saved themselves from the unbearable heat of the day under bushes and in the cool pine groves and at nightfall they moved to find food and gladly posed in front the cameras of the visitors. During the last ten days after the arrival of the three new bears the Park enjoys a doubled number of visitors from the country and abroad and, of course, the children are the happiest.
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