Lika's Ecological Attraction - Kuterevo: Sanctuary for Young Bears A unique sanctuary for young bears, the only one of its kind in the world, lies in the Lika region, in the village of Kuterevo. If you would like to find out more about its bear inhabitants, read our feature… General Information on the Brown Bear
The brown bear, the largest land carnivore, is in many countries on the verge of extinction. According to estimates, there are between 400 and 600 bears in Croatia and they live in the area of the Dinarski Massif, or, to be more precise, in the regions of Gorski kotar and Lika. Although they can weigh up to 300 kg, they usually weigh from 100 to 150 kg. They prefer quiet habitats, especially when rearing offspring. Therefore, they live primarily in distant areas that are at a greater altitude. At night, when searching for food, they tend to come down to lower areas.
Bears are night hunters and sleep during the day in their so-called daytime rest areas. However, it would be wrong to consider bears lazy animals because they can walk up to 10 km per day, and walk on average 2 km per day.
At the beginning of November, bears begin to prepare their dens where they will hibernate and will remain for 3 months, unless they are suddenly awakened by something. Hibernation is a state when the metabolism is completely brought to a standstill - bears do not eat, drink or urinate. During hibernation, female bears bear offspring that have barely 350 g and are smallest of all mammals compared to the mother. They are born blind, without fur and are completely dependent on their mothers' warmth and milk. It is interesting that at the time when mothers themselves do not eat or drink anything, they produce milk that has 22% fat and can only be compared with that of seals.
Kuterevo: Sanctuary for Bears
The sanctuary for bears that, due to accident or poaching, have been separated from their mothers when they were too young to live independently lies in the village of Kuterevo, on the slopes of Velebit in Lika. Such bears, nurtured by people, never manage to acquire skills necessary for an independent life. Therefore, they never go to their natural habitat but stay in the sanctuary that is, for the time being, a unique project in the world. Namely, Kuterevo sanctuary for bears and the ecological ethnographical village for tourists were opened only thanks to the enthusiasm of several bear lovers and the wholehearted support of experts.
An asphalt road leads to the sanctuary that is some 20 minutes away from Otocac. The sanctuary can also be reached from the sea from the direction of Senj. This excursion area is intended to be a special reserve where visitors can get to know the natural beauties of Velebit. A whole range of projects on sustainable development has been planned for the ecological village Kuterevo.
The caretaker of the sanctuary and the protector of the young bears is Mr. Crnkovic, their mother and father, while, along with him, all of the other villagers feed the bears. Their home consists of several fenced funnel shaped holes, in which 4 bears currently live - Mrnjo Brundo and Janja Zora, as well as two bears that have recently arrived, Ljuba Lika and Zdrava Gora.
Mali Brundo, for unknown reasons, fell into an overflowed brook, while Janja Zora was brought to Kuterevo after she had spent several days on a tree without her mother. The two other bears came in a similar way. Although all of the bears live in the same environment with the same people, Brundo is an outgoing bear that likes people and gladly poses, while Janja is more reserved, prefers to stay in its hole and does not approach visitors. In winter, the bears get their dens. They are separated from tourists by a fence so that they have peace necessary for their development. Caretakers leave food in different places, under rocks or leaves, in order for the bears to, by sniffing, digging and reaching from a higher spot, develop the natural skills, curiosity and strength necessary to be healthy.
Kuterevo can be visited throughout the whole year. The bears hibernate from November to early spring, meaning you will not be able to see them during this period. However, you will be awaited by the winter atmosphere of Velebit, with a great deal of snow. Nearest to Kuterevo are Senj and Plitvice, from where the ecological village can easily be reached by car. |
