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History

From the idea in 2010 to today

The Arosa Bear Sanctuary came about from a vision of allowing bears to live in a species-appropriate environment and giving them a new home. Learn more about the development and milestones of this special project.

In the past

2010

July 2010

More than 10 years ago, the Director of Tourism, Pascal Jenny, was looking for new and attractive projects, and hit upon the idea of the bears.

Autumn 2010

Arosa received a considerable sum of money from a legacy which could be earmarked for the Arosa Bear Sanctuary project.

2011

July 2011

The civic community of Arosa was opposed to the Bärabad site being made available for a bear park. The project group looked for alternative sites.

2012

November 2012

The animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS contacted Arosa Tourism and declared their interest in cooperating with the Arosa Bear Sanctuary project.

2013

2013 / 2014

Various site and concept evaluations took place, including an evaluation of the “perfect” location.

2015

June 2015

Agreement from the Chur Bürgergemeinde [civic community] to use the perimeter by the middle station of the Weisshorn cable car for the Arosa Bear Sanctuary.

2016

November 2016

Overwhelming «Yes» from the residents of Arosa for the Arosa Bear Sanctuary. With over 78% in agreement and a very high turn-out rate, anticipation was tangible following a perfect information campaign.

December 2016

The background work continued. The “Arosa Bären” foundation was established and the planning application (enclosure, shelter and visitor buildings) was prepared.

2017

April 2017

Other facilities (bear playground, Edutainment, bear events, etc.) for the Arosa Bear Sanctuary were planned. The goal was to position Arosa as the “bear village”.

May 2017

Partial amendment of the site map of the “Arosa Bear Sanctuary” approved by the Government of the Canton of Graubünden.

July 2017

Lease agreement for use and operation by the Arosa Bear Sanctuary signed by the Arosa Bären Foundation and the civic community/municipality of Chur.

August 2017

Planned issue of the building permit by municipality of Arosa. Ground-breaking ceremony for construction of the Arosa Bear Sanctuary.

December 2017

Interruption to construction for the winter. Work continued in spring 2018.

2018

July 2018

Napa, ein ehemaliger Zirkusbär, wird vom serbischen Palic nach Arosa transferiert. Napa wird nach der Eingewöhnungszeit in das grosse Aussengehege entlassen.

August 2018

After more than 8 years, the opening of the Arosa Bear Sanctuary was celebrated from 3 to 5 August 2018.

2019

February 2019

Amelia and Meimo, two restaurant bears from Albania, moved to their new home in Arosa.

July 2019

Amelia and Meimo were socialised with Napa and from then on, all three bears were able to use the enclosure together.

19 August 2019

Vet visit to the Arosa Bear Sanctuary. Amelia was successfully neutered and Napa had an impromptu operation on his teeth. All went well

2020

02 July 2020

Almost two years after opening in August 2020, the 100,000th visitor was welcomed to the Arosa Bear Sanctuary.

09 July 2020

The Arosa Bear Academy launched in summer 2020 in collaboration with the Arosa Bear Sanctuary and provided outdoor courses specifically for children and young people.

17 July 2020

Opening of the “floating” adventure trail with eight viewing platforms connected via suspension bridges.

04 November 2020

In 2020, Napa was diagnosed with epilepsy. When Napa’s health further deteriorated, when the medication no longer provided the expected outcome, and Napa’s quality of life was no longer satisfactory, Napa was put out his misery.

11 Dezember 2020

At the start of December, the brown bear Jambolina was freed from her old life as a circus bear in the Ukraine. After a long journey, she arrived safely at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary and was able to start her new life in the indoor enclosure.

2021

13 July 2021

When Jambolina had successfully socialised with Meimo and Amelia, the three bears were able to share the expansive outdoor enclosure from 13 July 2021.

05 August 2021

The Bear Sanctuary had to say goodbye to Jambolina. She died shortly before an operation at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary. Everyone was thankful for the few happy months that Jambolina was able to spend at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary and very sad that she did not have more time.

2022

10 February 2022

There were soon two new inhabitants of the Arosa Bear Sanctuary to join Amelia and Meimo. FOUR PAWS planned to move two bears from a zoo in Skopje to Arosa.

20 May 2022

After a long journey, Sam and Jamila arrived safely at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary. They both left their lives at the Skopje Zoo behind them.

08 August - 05 Oktober 2022

In 2022, there were several important meetings at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary. On 8 August, Sam and Jamila first met each other, followed by the socialisation of Jamila and Meimo on 12 August. On 17 August, Amelia and Sam met, and on 31 August, Sam and Meimo established their hierarchy. On 21 September, Jamila proved herself to be the dominant animal when she met Amelia. On 5 October, 2022, the four bears lived together in the outdoor enclosure for the first time.

2023

August 2023

The Arosa Bear Sanctuary celebrated its 5-year anniversary.

Today