Bear Park in Worbis - Welcomed Brown-haired Mykhailo explores his new home
Mykhailo, a brown bear at the Bear Park in Worbis, took his first steps outside his enclosure for the first time after spending the past six weeks in a quarantine area and an acclimation station, according to Christopher Schmidt, the caretaker of the park, Stiftung für Bären – Wildtier und Artenschutz. Now the gate to the outdoor area had been opened.
Mykhailo had to get used to his newfound freedom and proceeded cautiously. But when he caught sight of the pond in the enclosure, there was no stopping him. Mykhailo splashed in the cold water and explored the rest of his new home. Schmidt was thrilled: "Mykhailo's joy in the water gave us goosebumps."
Mykhailo arrived at the Bear Park in May. He is the third bear from Ukraine. According to Schmidt, the bear had spent many years in a cage at a recreational facility under poor living conditions. His exact age is unknown. The foundation assumes that the bear was born in 2016. Nine brown bears now live in the refuge for animals at the Bear Park.
For Mykhailo's move to a better environment, animal activists from various countries had been working for several years. However, the war in Ukraine delayed the rescue of the animal.
Mykhailo is now supposed to explore his enclosure first, and then he will be introduced to Bear Lady Katja (33), who, along with Bearin Doro, is the oldest animal in the park. The oldest bear, Conny, died in May. According to Schmidt, Mykhailo has lived alone so far. Whether the two understand each other remains to be seen.
Bear Park Worbis
- Mykhailo's journey from Ukraine to the Bear Park in Thuringia, Germany, was significantly influenced by animal activists from different countries.
- Despite spending many years in a cage at a recreational facility in Ukraine, Mykhailo certainly seems to be enjoying his new freedom and level of comfort at the Bear Park in Worbis.
- Interested visitors from Germany and beyond can plan a trip to witness Mykhailo's new life at the Bear Park, located in the heart of Thuringia.
