Alertis, fund for bear and nature conservation

Bears all over the world are threatened due to loss of habitat, habitat fragmentation illegal hunting and abuse by men. In many places bears are mistreated for entertainment as dancing bears, in circuses, theatre and film industry.

Alertis mission is to protect nature, the bear and its wild habitat in particular as well as other animal species sharing this habitat. On top of this Alertis focuses on the welfare of captive bears.

Alertis - fund for bear and nature conservation, was established in 1993. The first and most well known project is the Bear Forest in Ouwehand Zoo Rhenen, the Netherlands. In this Large Bear Enclosure formerly mistreated bears, such as dancing bears, circus bears, live on 2 ha forest area together with European wolves. In contrast with their former life, they can ‘enjoy their true bear-being’. Alertis is mainly involved in conservation of the large bear species. The non for profit organisation supports research projects, nature conservation and educational projects. These are carried out mainly in European countries like Bulgaria, Georgia, Croatia, Romania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Greece, Spain, Slovakia and the Russian far East, but also outside Europe, in India, Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Venezuela.