Amelia and Meimo

The two bears from Albania

The former restaurant bears from Albania found a new home with ponds, shrubs and forests at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary at the start of 2019.

Facts

Amelia
Meimo

Amelia

Female brown bear
Born 2006 in Albania
Former restaurant bear
Weight: approx. 150kg

(depending on season)
Character: alert, curious

Meimo

Male brown bear
Born 2006 in Albania
Former restaurant bear
Weight of Meimo: approx. 240kg (depending on season)
Character: calm, shy, active at night

History

2006

Birth

Amelia and Meimo were born in Albania in 2006.

2006-2019

Former living conditions

The Albanian bears spent their earlier life in a private mini zoo at a restaurant. The enclosure, which was around 60m2 and housed both bears, was destroyed immediately after our visit. Because the conditions were not species-appropriate, the restaurant owner does not want to own any more animals.

February 2019

Released to Arosa

After a 2,436 km journey, Amelia and Meimo arrived at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary to keep Napa († 4.11.2020) company.

Spring 2019

Spring 2019

After their arrival, Amelia and Meimo spent their first weeks in the indoor enclosure because the outdoor enclosure was closed due to snow. Both bears slept a lot and entered a kind of hibernation, however they took a drink now and then and ate a little.

Summer 2019

Socialisation with Napa

The initial socialisation of Amelia, Meimo and Napa at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary was successful. Prior to this, Napa and Meimo were neutered in accordance with the zero-breeding policy of FOUR PAWS, which also prevented aggressive behaviour. Napa and Amelia spent the first hours together, took a bath and explored the natural enclosure. Meimo, who grew up with Amelia, enjoyed the morning sun instead.

Useful information

Transfer in 2019

Amelia and Meimo’s journey to Arosa began on 31 January when the two bears left Albania. The team, consisting of FOUR PAWS, a vet and other helpers, collected the bears from the mini zoo. After initial sedation, they were placed safely in their transport boxes. They travelled from Albania to Macedonia and then Greece. At the border, bureaucratic problems delayed the transport so that the bears had to spend a night at the border.

From Greece, they travelled on a ferry to Italy, where they faced a long journey through the country and a short break at the zoo in Bergamo, On 1 February, they reached the border with Switzerland. Heavy snowfall and traffic jams delayed the journey to Arosa and the bears only arrived in the late afternoon.

The bears were welcomed to Arosa with a spectacular reception. The transport boxes were loaded into the cable car by a fork lift truck and then taken to the Arosa Bear Sanctuary by a Pistenbully snow groomer. Amelia immediately investigated her new home with curiosity whereas Meimo was rather more cautious. After just a few days, the pair appeared to have settled in well and they enjoyed snow-covered Arosa.