A University of Wroclaw-RSPCA-OTOZ Animals report shows that Poland's captive bears are kept in terrible conditions with too-small cages, concrete walls, poor diets and a lack of water.

The bears living in zoos in Braniewo on the Baltic coast, in Bialystok, eastern Poland, in Leszno, western Poland and in a refuge in Korabiewice, central Poland, live in the worst conditions. Bears in zoological gardens in Bydgoszcz, northwest, Czluchow, northern Poland and in Wroclaw, southeastern Poland, enjoy the best conditions.

Researchers and authors of the report claim that bears are sensitive, intelligent creatures that need not only assurances of good physical conditions, but also psychological comfort. A concrete cage smaller than 150 square metres, as are many of the cages at zoos around Poland, can only contribute to violent outbursts from the captive bears.

“It is essential to mimic natural terrain in the bears' cages with hiding places and pools of water,” claims Agnieszka Sergiel from the University of Wroclaw, adding that “they need [the water] to cool the body and help in the molting process.” The zoo in Korabiewice provided the resident bear with a bathtub for these purposes. However, the bear could not fit into the tub.

In total, there are 52 bears in captivity in Poland. Nineteen of these animals live in conditions considered by the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to be inhumane. Authors of the report have provided zoos throughout the country with suggestions on how to improve the conditions of the bears. European Union norms stipulate that animals held in captivity have their basic biological needs met. (mmj)