Dancing Bears Park Belitsa
Blagoevgrad
Bear Sanctuary Belitsa, located near the town of Belitsa in southwestern Bulgaria, is a dedicated refuge for brown bears that were formerly kept in captivity under inhumane conditions. Established in 2000 by the animal welfare organization Four Paws in cooperation with the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, the sanctuary provides a spacious natural habitat of 120,000 square meters comprising seven open-air enclosures with forests, hills, ponds, and artificial dens. The park was originally focused on rescuing bears trained to "dance" in public, a cruel practice that was prevalent in Eastern Europe during the 20th century. Over the years, it has housed bears from Bulgaria, Serbia, and Albania, as well as some from Bulgarian zoos and private ownership. Visitors can explore the sanctuary from April to November through guided tours that offer insights into the bears' histories, natural behaviors, and conservation needs. The sanctuary emphasizes education about the bears' natural lifestyle and the importance of animal welfare, making it a unique and compassionate destination for wildlife lovers.
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Tip: Visitors are advised to plan about 90 minutes to fully enjoy the guided tours, which run every half hour starting at 10:00 or 12:00 depending on the season. Tickets are purchased on-site, with free admission for children under six and persons with disabilities. Large groups (10 or more) should reserve in advance by phone. The sanctuary is closed from December to April and includes steep sections, which may be challenging for visitors with mobility issues. Since the bears roam freely within the large park, sightings can vary, so patience and quiet observation are recommended.
Interesting facts
- •The sanctuary covers 120,000 square meters divided into seven large open-air enclosures.
- •It was created to end the cruel tradition of 'dancing bears' in Eastern Europe.
- •The first three rescued bears were named Kalina, Mariana, and Stefan.
- •The sanctuary houses bears rescued from Bulgaria, Serbia, and Albania, as well as former zoo and privately owned bears.
- •Visitors can see naturalistic bear dens, ponds for swimming, and extensive forested areas within the park.
History
The sanctuary was established in 2000 to rescue and provide a home for brown bears previously held captive and forced to perform as "dancing bears," a widespread practice in Eastern Europe during the 20th century.
Initially, it housed more than twenty bears from Bulgaria and Serbia.
The last dancing bears from Bulgaria were relocated to the sanctuary in 2007, followed by the final bears from Serbia in 2009.
Over time, the sanctuary expanded to include bears from zoos and private owners.
In May 2022, reflecting the end of the dancing bear rescues, the park was renamed from Dancing Bears Park Belitsa to Bear Sanctuary Belitsa to better represent its mission and resident bears' welfare.
Place Guide
Open-Air Enclosures
Seven spacious enclosures provide the bears with natural forested hills, ponds for swimming, and artificial dens that mimic their natural habitat, allowing them to exhibit natural behaviors in freedom.
Visitor Guided Tours
Guided tours are offered every half hour from April to November, providing educational information about the bears' past captivity, their natural needs, and conservation efforts. Visitors learn unique stories about each bear and can observe them in their naturalistic environment.
Contact
Phone: 088 800 2358
