A long-awaited rescue is finally nearing its most hopeful moment. After years spent living in captivity beside a restaurant near Bled, Slovenia, Mici the brown bear is in the final stretch before arriving at her new, permanent home at BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach. Her transfer, coordinated by the international animal-welfare organization FOUR PAWS, marks a significant milestone not only for Mici herself but for the global movement working to end the private keeping and commercial exploitation of wild animals.
Inside the sanctuary, the energy is palpable. Caretakers, veterinarians, behaviorists, and construction crews have been moving in tireless coordination as they finalize every element of Mici’s new environment. Her transition must be handled with precision, patience, and compassion—a responsibility the team takes seriously as they ready her den, fortify her habitat, and establish the daily care routines that will shape the beginning of her new life.
The preparations offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it truly means to rescue an animal who has never known freedom. Teams have been ensuring her habitat includes natural vegetation, space to roam, and quiet resting areas that meet the needs of a bear who will be learning what autonomy feels like for the first time.
From bedding materials to enrichment objects that encourage natural behaviors, every detail is being arranged to help Mici adapt to a new world that finally puts her well-being first.
Her story is heartbreakingly familiar in the world of animal rescue. Having lived most of her life in confinement, Mici’s environment offered little stimulation or physical space—conditions that often lead to stress behaviors, compromised health, and a life far removed from anything resembling a natural habitat. The decision of her former owner to voluntarily surrender her is a turning point, one that opens the door to a future rooted in dignity rather than display.
For supporters following Mici’s journey, FOUR PAWS has shared an intimate look inside the sanctuary’s preparations, including video insights into how a rescue team builds a new life for a bear starting from the ground up. Each step—a freshly built den, secure fencing, forested terrain, scheduled veterinary evaluations—demonstrates how vital and multifaceted the rescue process truly is.
This rescue also highlights the crucial role of international collaboration within the broader rescue network, a system of organizations and advocates working globally to relocate, rehabilitate, and protect animals in need. Those wishing to learn more about how rescues like Mici’s come together can explore the growing initiatives within the Rescue Network, a hub of efforts focused on intervention, sanctuary placement, and long-term wildlife protection.
As Mici’s arrival draws close, FOUR PAWS continues to call for support, encouraging those able to donate through their local country branches when available.
These contributions help sustain rescue operations, ensure sanctuary maintenance, and support the specialized care each bear requires. Donations made through local offices also allow supporters to maximize tax benefits according to their national laws—an added incentive for those eager to contribute to life-changing rescues like Mici’s.
Soon, after a lifetime of confinement, Mici will step into an environment built entirely for her comfort, healing, and freedom. Her journey symbolizes what is possible when compassion, expertise, and global solidarity come together.
For every rescued animal, there is a community behind the scenes working relentlessly to turn hope into a new beginning—and in Mici’s case, that beginning is now just days away.
