Natural Feeding Program

Until 1999 the bears in the Bear Forest were fed a standard diet. The diet consisted of dog pellets, vegetables, fruit, bread, occasionally fish, meat and nuts. There was little variation in body weight of the bears during fall and spring and some of the bears displayed moderate activity during the summer. During winter the bears left their dens regularly. Some bears frequently displayed stereotypic behaviour.

In 2000 the Natural Feeding Program (NFP) was introduced. The NFP consists of food items which are similar to the diet of the brown bear in nature (for example an item as lettuce is giving to simulate broad leaved herbs). One of the main characteristics of the diet is the seasonal variation in food items and the seasonal variation in amount of calories (also similar to the natural situation). Due to the seasonal variation in the amount of energy and the variation in food items the animals body weight increases and decreases according to the season. After the start of the new diet, hibernation became more solid and stereotypic behaviour decreased. The Natural Feeding Programme has a positive effect on the welfare of the bears. It stimulates them to behave as they would in the wild.

The details of this program can be obtained on request.