For the first time on the Trail – bears right beneath you

On the Krkonoše Treetop Trail, you can observe brown bears safely from above, directly beneath you. The enclosure is located in a natural forest environment right below the trail.

A new home has been found here by Michal the bear and Alica the female bear, who come from the High Tatras. Today, they live in an enclosure designed to closely resemble their natural habitat.

The project was created in cooperation with Dvůr Králové Zoo and the Krkonoše National Park Administration, and is part of the European conservation programme EAZA Ex-situ Programme (EEP).

Michal

Michal is a male brown bear from the High Tatras. As a young cub, he was found without his mother together with his siblings.

After being rescued and cared for by experts, he was given a second chance at life in human care. Today, he lives beneath the treetops in the Krkonoše Mountains, where he has access to a spacious enclosure in a natural forest environment.

Alica

Alica, a female bear, comes from the same group of rescued cubs as Michal.

She is curious, active, and enjoys exploring new stimuli in her surroundings. In the enclosure beneath the Trail, she has plenty of space for movement, rest, and play.

Michal and Alica are among the bears that can no longer return to the wild. Thanks to the efforts of conservationists and the care of experts, they have found a new home.

The Bear Trail project shows that even animals that have lost the ability to live in the wild can live in a nature-like environment, while also helping people better understand the importance of wildlife conservation.

Enclosure beneath the treetops

The bears live in an enclosure located directly in the forest below the Treetop Trail. The environment respects the natural character of the Krkonoše Mountains and provides the bears with plenty of space and stimuli for their natural behaviour.

The enclosure includes, for example:

forest terrain and natural vegetation

dens for resting

a water area for cooling down

a feeding area used during guided tours

The enclosure is also equipped with modern safety systems and continuous monitoring, ensuring the safety of both the animals and visitors.

The Bear Trail was created in cooperation with Dvůr Králové Zoo and the Krkonoše National Park Administration (KRNAP).

The Krkonoše Treetop Trail operates as an affiliated facility of Dvůr Králové Zoo, which guarantees professional care for the bears.

The KRNAP Administration is involved in the expert part of the project as well as in the preparation of environmental education programmes, helping visitors understand the life of large carnivores and their role in nature.

Part of a European conservation programme

The Bear Trail project is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP – EAZA Ex-situ Programme).

This programme is coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and aims to protect endangered species and preserve their genetic diversity.

By participating in this programme, the Krkonoše Treetop Trail becomes part of a wider European network of institutions working together on animal conservation.

Why the Bear Trail was created

The Krkonoše Treetop Trail presents the forest ecosystem from roots to treetops. A natural part of this environment is also wildlife.

Large carnivores were historically part of the Krkonoše Mountains. Bears lived here several centuries ago, and today, large carnivores are gradually returning to some parts of Europe.

The Bear Trail therefore introduces visitors to the life of these animals, while also opening the topic of coexistence between humans and large carnivores in the European landscape.