#1 Don’t Look at Me
Have you ever wondered what a bear might have to say? This September we went to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary near “Dracula’s Castle” in Transylvania, Romania to find out. This is the largest brown bear sanctuary in the world.
This sanctuary is like a retirement home for former captive bears. Most of them endured miserable conditions at the hands of circuses, zoos and private owners. Many were forced to dance by placing them on hot metal surfaces which burnt their feet. Some were kept on chains at stores and gas stations as tourist attractions while others were neglected in small cages.
In 2005, Romania outlawed the practice of keeping wild bears. Libearty Sanctuary now takes care of around 120 rescued European brown bears. They are cousin to the grizzly though much smaller.
We arranged for a private half-day tour with the Sanctuary so we would have time to intuitively communicate with the bears and assist them in their emotional healing. Monika, our guide, knew most of the bears and their history.
Soon after we began our few mile walk through the property, we came across a bear who had come from the circus. Anne asked her, “What do you have to say?” She answered, “I don’t like being looked at so much.” She then flashed Anne the image of being stared down and laughed at by circus crowds.
Anne asked her if she knew our guide. She said, “Yes. She is kind hearted. I recognize kind hearted souls going by. I recognize kindness in your voice. That feels good.”
I (Greg) then asked her if she would like to feel more secure no matter how many people walk by and look at her. She said, “Yes.” Monika thought this could really help her because she would exhibit cage syndrome when she got stressed or excited. This is when animals pace back and forth over a small area.
So, I proceeded to mentally project to her the image of grounding her paws into the earth. I flashed her the image of roots descending from her paws deep into the dirt. This image of grounding and roots seemed foreign to her. Monika said she had spent most of her life on concrete.
I intuitively explained to her that she could feel secure no matter who looks at her. The people in the large tour groups are in their own world. She is the one who is important in her world.
Anne then told her, “We appreciate you so much.” She responded, “I know. I have been listening to you. Some people are not as bad as others.” With that, we said goodbye and wished her well. She was so sweet. We felt honored to have spoken with her.
#2 Wonder of the Forest
Next, we came upon a happier bear. Monika asked, “What does she have to say?” She answered, “I would like something to eat.” Monika said this was appropriate because the food truck was coming soon.
Then Monika noticed that this bear’s ears were back, which usually meant that they were feeling aggressive. Anne asked this bear if she felt aggressive towards us. She responded, “I don’t know who you are. I want to make sure I only make friends with the right people. Monika is fine, but I don’t know you at all.” This made logical sense.
Monika wanted to know more about this bear. “Who is she? How old is she?” The bear answered, “I am a Wonder of the Forest. That’s what you can call me.” Anne laughed because this was such a quaint view of herself. As for her age, the bear said she considers herself to be around 12, but she doesn’t know how you figure age. She says she is an adult.
Anne asked Monika, “How old is an adult bear?” Monika shared that bears can reproduce beginning at around age 7 or 8, so that would be when they become adults.
The bear then jumped into Anne’s head and our conversation to make a clarification. She said she considers herself to be an adult because of the way she sees the world. She says there are many who do not have as expansive a view of things as she does. This is why she says she is an adult.
She also said she doesn’t know why people come to see her now because she doesn’t do that much. She is not that entertaining.
Monika shared that she knew this bear also used to entertain in a circus. So, her comment of not being that entertaining now made sense.
#3 Yogi the Old Man
We continued on down the path to see Yogi, a 42 years old male. When we asked him what he had to say he responded, “No time like the present. I sit a lot. I enjoy life. I don’t have many complaints.” His comments made Monika happy. She had been concerned about him because he was so old.
We asked Yogi what his relationship was to the bear who was walking near him, and he said “I don’t pay attention much to other bears. They don’t bother me.” Anne then shared that she got the image of him as an old man sitting on a park bench watching life go by.
Monika said this image describes him well. When food arrives and all the bears come running out of the forest, Yogi remains relaxed and casually makes his way to the food truck. We were all glad he was enjoying his final years at the Libearty Sanctuary.
We’ll share more bear stories soon!
Watch a short video clip of feeding the bears.
VisitLibearty Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti, Romania to learn more or adopt a bear.