Napa

Napa † - the first resident of the Arosa Bear Sanctuary

Napa, the first inhabitant of the Arosa Bear Sanctuary, had a difficult past as a circus bear in Serbia. In 2018, he found a new home in Arosa, where he was able to live in freedom for two years before he died of his epilepsy in 2020.

Facts

Napa

Male brown bar, small part polar bear
Born 2006 in Serbia
Former circus bear
approx. 350 kilograms (depending on season)
Character: active, friendly, curious
Eats 15 kilograms of fruit and vegetables each day (in summer)
Eats 3 kilograms of meat from a butcher (game) and a farm (pork and beef) in Arosa (in summer)
Became seriously ill in June 2020
† 4.11.2020

History

2006

Birth

Napa was born in Serbia.

Until 2016

Circus bear

Napa lived as a circus bear in the Serbian circus Corona. He was locked in a small, rusty cage which offered no room to move.

October 2016

Zoo Palic

Napa was confiscated by the Serbian authorities, who were helped by FOUR PAWS, and temporarily housed at Zoo Palic. He was finally able to move more and put on weight.

Summer 2018

Released to Arosa

After finalising the official procedure, Napa was transported to Arosa and after a transfer lasting 28 hours, he arrived at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary on 4 July 2018. He was the first bear to find a new home there.

ttling-in period of three weeks, Napa was released to the large outdoor enclosure at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary.

Amelia and Meimo moved to the Arosa Bear Sanctuary on 1 February 2019 and were later socialised with Napa.

June 2020 - 4. November 2020

Napa’s last months

In June 2020, Napa was diagnosed with epilepsy. In spite of medical care, his condition worsened. On 4 November, Napa had to be released from his suffering due to his severe illness.

Useful Information

Transfer

After a journey of around 1400 km and lasting 28 hours, including a cable car ride, he finally made it: Napa arrived at his home in the Arosa Bear Sanctuary on 4 July 2008. The last stage in Arosa was a particular challenge: “The transportation crate with Napa weighed around 550 kg. Transferring the cage from the bear ambulance to the cable car was a logistical masterpiece”, said Carsten Hertwig, bear expert at FOUR PAWS.

”We waited so long for him. Now he is finally here - our first bear. The whole of Arosa was pleased that Napa had found his forever home in the beautiful Arosa mountains”, rejoiced Pascal Jenny, President of the Arosa Bären Foundation.

The official opening of the Arosa Bear Sanctuary took place from 3 to 5 August. On 3 August, with the participation of Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard and other invited guests, the first bear conservation centre in Switzerland opened its doors. It then opened to all visitors on 4 and 5 August.

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History

In the Corona circus, he lived in a cramped, rusty cage, which offered no protection from sun or rain, and made it impossible for him to stand up. In 2016, Napa was seized by the Serbian authorities with the assistance of FOUR PAWS. After he was seized, he was housed at the Palic Zoo where he finally had room to move and he began to put on weight. He reached a weight of 350 kilograms after being kept in poor conditions for years. Napa also received dental care at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary which was necessary to treat the damage caused by poor nutrition. In 2018, he finally moved into his new home in Arosa, where he spent two happy years.

Memorial plaque

NAPA 12 December 2006 - 4. November 2020

Napa, born on 12 December 2006, was the first bear that the animal welfare organisation Four Paws freed from captivity. In the Corona circus in Serbia, he lived for years in a tiny, rusty cage which gave him neither room to move nor any protection. In summer 2018, Napa finally found a new home at the Arosa Bear Sanctuary. In an enclosure of almost three hectares, he was able to lead a species-appropriate life, he learned natural bear behaviour and experienced hibernation for the first time, which only comes with physical well-being.

In 2019 Napa was joined by Amelia and Meimo, two other rescued bears. The socialization went well and Napa displayed social behaviour as the dominant male. He thus helped to teach visitors a lot about animal protection and bear biology.

Unfortunately Napa became ill with epilepsy in summer 2020 and was released from his suffering on 4 November 2020. Napa will always be remembered as a symbol for the rescue of animals and for the enjoyable time that he had in the Arosa Bear Sanctuary. At his memorial site, Napa will continue to watch over the Bear Sanctuary and into Napa Valley, which was named after him