The sanctuary was opened in 2005, nowadays over 70 bears enjoying a new life in the Libearty Bear Sanctuary – 70 hectares of oak and hazel forest in the Carpathian Mountains above the Transylvanian town of Zarnesti. Here, the bears climb trees, swim in fresh water pools and forage on the vegetation. These forested areas contain hibernation dens and hundreds of trees with lush natural vegetation. For many of the bears, having been caught from the wild as cubs, this is a new and stimulating experience.