Information about the Brown Bear
The brown bear is a predatory mammal of the family Ursidae. Its body length reaches up to 2.5 m and its weight up to 480 kg. Its lifespan is 45 years. It is found in Europe, Asia, and North America, where it is known as the "grizzly." It primarily inhabits mountain forest areas.
The bear belongs among predators, but unlike other predators, it eats the least amount of meat and feeds mainly on plants. Most bears are active during the day and spend almost the entire day searching for food.
The bear usually moves heavily. It moves on all four limbs, though in case of danger it can run quickly, reaching speeds of 50–60 km/h. Bears are good climbers and can often be found having climbed a tree and sleeping there. All bears are also good swimmers.
In autumn it enters a den and goes into winter sleep, sleeping for 75–195 days. Dens are often found in caves, grottos, under rocks, or at the base of large trees. During warm winter weather, the bear can freely leave the den to search for food and then return to the den to continue sleeping.
The brown bear reaches sexual maturity at the age of 3. Pregnancy lasts up to 7 months; once every two years it gives birth to 2–3 blind cubs weighing only 200–700 grams. Bears generally live alone, though they often gather when food is available. Cubs stay with the mother for two to three years, during which time the female bear may become pregnant again. In this way, male bears also spend part of their lives with their offspring.
Important: The brown bear is listed on Georgia's Red List — hunting and capturing it is prohibited by law.
About the Zoological Center
Georgia frequently sees uncontrolled hunting and poaching, resulting in bears being killed and their cubs captured. The brown bear is an endangered species listed on Georgia's Red List — hunting and capturing it is prohibited under Georgian law.
For years, brown bears held in illegal captivity across various regions of Georgia suffered in very small enclosures. Most were kept for entertainment at petrol stations, restaurants, hotels, monasteries, circuses, and private homes. These bears were captured at a young age and consequently lost their wild instincts. Rehabilitation and return to the wild of adult bears raised in captivity is nearly impossible.
The killing of bears and capture of their cubs occurs in many countries worldwide. Poaching has placed this species under threat of extinction, and legislation protects it globally as a rare and unique animal. In nearly thirty countries, bear sanctuaries exist where bears rescued from harsh captivity are placed in suitable conditions, cared for, and rehabilitated for potential return to the wild.
To address the problem of wild animals held in illegal captivity across Georgia, the non-commercial organization Zoological Center was established in 2010. The center was set up in Tbilisi National Park on 2 hectares of land, housing wild animals that had been kept in poor conditions at various locations around Georgia. The Zoological Center's standard enclosures are home to bears, wolves, and foxes.
"Distance Guardianship Program"
Starting May 1, 2019, the Zoological Center launched its "Distance Guardianship Program." The program allows for the remote sponsorship of animals residing at the center, meaning that an interested person becomes the official "distance guardian" of a specific animal. Participants may choose their preferred animal at the center and their desired guardianship period. The animal continues to live at the center, while the guardian provides a monthly donation (distance guardianship fee) in an amount set by the organization.
The program's primary goal is to ensure the living conditions of the animals at the center through the support of individual "distance guardians." The main aim is to promote humane treatment of and assistance to the endangered, Red List-protected animals living at the center.
The daily food ration for animals at the Zoological Center is as follows: one adult bear requires 5.6 kg of food daily — fruit and vegetables — plus 1.2 kg of meat or fish. A wolf requires 3.4 kg of meat (chicken or beef) per day, while a fox requires up to 1 kg of chicken or beef.
The Zoological Center thanks those who have already become, or will in the future become, "distance guardians" of the center's animals. Choose your preferred animal at the center and become a "distance guardian."
Our Animals
Brown Bear — Balu ♂ Male · b. 2010
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
In 2010 in the city of Borjomi, poachers killed the mother bear and took the cub to sell. The cub was so young that the buyer was unable to raise it and contacted our center. We took the cub in that same day. It took a long and difficult period to save and raise him. The cub could not eat independently and it took several months of bottle-feeding. During this time the bear cub became very dependent on humans and we were unable to rehabilitate him, so he continues to live at the center.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Tina ♀ Female · b. 2009
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Tina the bear was illegally kept for 8 years by an official at a state institution in Rustavi, in a 15 sq.m enclosure. As staff at the institution told us, the bear had been brought there at one month of age and had been kept in a small concrete and iron enclosure ever since. Since the bear was an adult, rehabilitation and return to the wild was impossible. In 2017 a suitable place was found at the sanctuary and appropriate conditions were arranged, where she continues to live today alongside other bears.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become her "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Meraba ♂ Male · b. 2014
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Meraba the bear was kept for 2 years at a restaurant in the city of Akhaltsikhe to entertain and attract customers. The bear was kept in poor conditions and also had a skin disease, so in 2016 we decided to bring him to the bear sanctuary. The bear was quite aggressive and frightened — as restaurant staff reported, intoxicated customers would frequently torment him. Due to his difficult and harsh life, the bear no longer trusted humans. At the sanctuary we created the most peaceful and free environment possible for him, examinations were carried out, and proper treatment led to his recovery. He is now fully healthy and continues to live alongside the other bears.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Bubu ♂ Male · b. 2015
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Bubu the bear was kept for 2 years in very harsh conditions in a factory yard in the Gardabani district — confined in a small concrete and iron enclosure in terrible unsanitary conditions. According to local residents, the bear constantly cried out from hunger and thirst. In 2017 we urgently decided to bring him to the bear sanctuary. Despite his 2 years of suffering, the bear turned out to be very gentle and sociable — he quickly befriended the bears already at the center and continues to live with them.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Vini ♂ Male · b. 2016
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
In 2016, at 2 months of age, the bear cub Vini was brought to the sanctuary by residents of Bethania. They told us they had found the bear cub abandoned on a road at the edge of a forest. According to our information, bears do not inhabit the Bethania forest and the cub could not physically have come out of the forest on its own. We believe the cub's mother was killed and the cub was taken home temporarily for entertainment. The bear cub was 2 months old and had to be raised by bottle-feeding; a dog belonging to one of the sanctuary staff helped raise him. The bear still lives at the sanctuary today alongside the other bears and the dog that raised him.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Davliane ♂ Male · b. 2015
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
The bear cub Davliane was brought to the Zoological Center in April 2015. The cub was 2 months old and, as we were told, had been found at the edge of a forest in Racha and Tqibuli. The cub was traumatized with a head injury. At the center we gave the bear cub special care — he required hourly feeding by bottle and treatment of his injury. Unfortunately we were unable to release him back into the wild for various reasons and he continues to live at the Zoological Center.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Duche ♂ Male · b. 2016
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Duchina the bear was kept chained in the yard of a household in the village of Tsinandali, Kakheti — given as a gift by poachers when the cub was 3 weeks old, as we were told. The cub was very frightened and stressed as it could not adapt to being chained and to the unsuitable conditions, so it refused to eat. After several weeks of hunger and stress, it was brought to the sanctuary. The cub was very thin and had acute gastroenteritis. At the sanctuary the cub was placed in a calm spot and raised on special food. Today it is almost the most beautiful bear at the sanctuary and continues to live peacefully alongside the other bears.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Bela ♀ Female · b. 2016
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Bela the bear was found at 1 month of age at the edge of a forest in the Samtredia district and taken home for entertainment. She was kept chained in a house basement for 3 years. As we were told, the mother bear was killed and they could not bring themselves to kill the cub. After 3 years of difficult life they contacted the center to hand the bear over. In 2019 we brought the bear to the Zoological Center — she was very thin and aggressive. Despite having been chained for 3 years, the bear had never adapted to such harsh conditions. The large space and many enrichments at the center calmed her, she befriended the other bears and easily adapted to her new life.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become her "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Lela ♀ Female · b. 2009
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Lela the bear also had a difficult and lengthy life, like the other bears. She was kept captive in a yard in Kazbegi by local residents, confined in a small enclosure for 9 years. As we were told, the bear was used to entertain tourists in exchange for money. In 2018, her owner — who had put her through 9 years of suffering — passed away. The bear was left completely alone, hungry, and in terrible unsanitary conditions. We were contacted to help rescue her. Within a few days we brought her in; due to her difficult life she was very aggressive and erratic. The peaceful environment at the sanctuary and a stable feeding routine calmed the bear, she adapted to her new living space and befriended the other bears.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become her "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Namco ♂ Male · b. 2019
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
The bear cub Namco was brought to us in April 2019 together with his sister Txaji. The cubs were 2 months old and, as we were told, had been found at the edge of a forest. Unfortunately we were unable to release them back into the wild for various reasons and they continue to live at the Zoological Center.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Txaji ♀ Female · b. 2019
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
The bear cub Txaji was brought to us in April 2019 together with her brother Namco. The cubs were 2 months old and, as we were told, had been found at the edge of a forest. Unfortunately we were unable to release them back into the wild for various reasons and they continue to live at the Zoological Center.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become her "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Charlie ♂ Male · b. 2020
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
The bear cub Charlie was brought to the Zoological Center in February 2020. The cub was 1 month old and, as we were told, had been found at the edge of a forest. Unfortunately we were unable to release him back into the wild for various reasons and he continues to live at the Zoological Center.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Nathani ♂ Male · b. 2023
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
The bear cub Nathani was brought to the Zoological Center in April 2023. The cub was 2 months old and, as we were told, had been found at the edge of a forest in Racha. The cub was traumatized. At the center we gave the bear cub special care — he required hourly bottle-feeding. Unfortunately we were unable to release him back into the wild for various reasons and he continues to live at the Zoological Center.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Jazi ♂ Male · b. 2020
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Jazi the bear was kept in a small enclosure in a household yard in the Zugdidi district. As we were told, poachers gave the 2-week-old cub as a gift and he was kept in a yard enclosure for 3 years. We found a place for the bear at the Zoological Center and he now continues to live peacefully alongside the other bears.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Mishiko ♂ Male · b. 2023
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Mishiko the bear was found by residents in the Guria district at the edge of a forest, orphaned or lost, at the age of 2–3 months. They kept him at home for a few days, then handed him over to the Zoological Center for care, housing, and raising.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Greko ♂ Male · b. 2021
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Greko the bear was born at the Zoological Center in January 2021, together with his brother Oscar, born to our elderly bear Lela. Breeding of bears was not planned at the Zoological Center, however it happened on one occasion, and since then Greko and Oscar continue to live at the Zoological Center together with their mother.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Brown Bear — Oscar ♂ Male · b. 2021
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Oscar the bear was born at the Zoological Center in January 2021, together with his brother Greko, born to our elderly bear Lela. Breeding of bears was not planned at the Zoological Center, however it happened on one occasion, and since then Greko and Oscar continue to live at the Zoological Center together with their mother.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Wolves and Foxes
Grey Wolf — Kovidi ♂ Male · b. 2016
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Kovidi the wolf was brought to the Zoological Center in 2017 for care and housing. In 2016, poachers took a wolf pup home and kept it chained in their yard. In spring 2017 the wolf was seized and brought to the Zoological Center.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Grey Wolf — Alpha ♀ Female · b. 2015
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Alpha the wolf was brought to the Zoological Center in 2017 by the Tbilisi Zoo for care and housing. The main reason for bringing the female wolf was that our center already had a male wolf, Kovidi, who had been received a few months earlier and was alone. Since wolves are social animals, we accepted the female wolf as well, and they have lived together ever since.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become her "distance guardian"
Grey Wolves — Sky and Maxi ♀♂ · b. 2020
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Grey wolves Sky and Maxi were brought to us in 2023 by the Ministry of Environmental Protection for care and housing. The wolves were confiscated from residents who had kept them in a small enclosure from an early age.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become their "distance guardian"
Grey Wolves — Born at the Center b. 2024
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
The offspring of Kovidi and Alpha, the wolves brought to the Zoological Center, were born and raised at the center as semi-wild animals. They live together in one enclosure as a pack. All wolves have now undergone sterilization and castration surgery and will no longer be able to reproduce.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become their "distance guardian"
Fox — Roki ♂ Male · b. 2020
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Roki the fox was brought to us by the Ministry of Environmental Protection in 2022 for care and housing. As a result of poaching, Roki ended up in human captivity, spending 2 years in unsuitable conditions — but now continues to live happily at the Zoological Center alongside the other foxes.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become his "distance guardian"
Foxes — Keto and Kote ♀♂ · b. 2024
Reason for arrival at the Zoological Center:
Keto and Kote the foxes were brought to us in spring 2024 by foreign tourists who found them by the roadside — apparently lost, with one hind leg injured by dogs. From the day they were received, we provided veterinary care and they quickly recovered. Their stress subsided too, and since then they have been living happily at the Zoological Center.
Join the Zoological Center's program and become their "distance guardian"
