After Serbia banned circuses from using wild animals, a bear named Napa spent seven years imprisoned in a bare, concrete cage.
In 2016, he was finally rescued and taken to a Serbian zoo, where his handlers lovingly nursed to poor animal back to health. And thanks to a protein-rich diet, he eventually bulked up to a healthy weight (for a bear at least) of over 700 pounds!
Now that’s a whole lot of bear, folks! Especially, a lot of bear for an international team of experts to have to transport when it came time to move him, yet again. But the effort was most definitely worth it!
Because, in July, after a thorough medical checkup and 28 hours of travel across almost 1,000 miles, Napa became the first resident at Arosa Bear Sanctuary, a brand-new facility in the breath-taking Swiss Alps.
An international rescue group, Four Paws International, coordinated Napa’s relocation. Four Paws describes the sanctuary as a three hundred acre site “with numerous enrichment opportunities, ponds and trees for up to five bears. The geographical location of the sanctuary with altitude, slope and natural vegetation offers a habitat that is very close to the natural environment of the animals.”
Now that’s a lot of elbow room, even for a 700-pound bear!
“It was hard for us to part with him as we had grown to like him,” said Kristijan Ovari, a curator at Palić Zoo. “He is very intelligent, very curious. He’s always the first there to see what’s happening.”
Napa’s only been at his new home for a few months, and he’s still trying to take it all in. And since he’s surrounded by such incredible natural beauty…
There’s a whole new world to take in!
Jeta Lepaja, a spokesperson for Four Paws, says it may take up to a year before Napa feels acclimated to his new surroundings, so only time will tell whether or not he’ll actually hibernate this winter. But, in the meantime, Napa got to experience something fascinating for the first time.
Snowfall!
But it didn’t take long before this lucky bear was taking full advantage of his first real snow day, using the opportunity to play around with a giant snow-covered log (something that a normal man wouldn’t be able to budge).
And using the tree’s canopy for shelter, he’s able to quietly soak in the peaceful scene taking place right before his eyes.
Check out Napa’s joyful reaction to the mysterious cold white stuff in the video below, and please make sure to share his incredible story with your friends and family.
