Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Brașov — Live Online Webcam

The History of Libearty Sanctuary

In 1998, Romanian animal welfare activist Cristina Lapis saw three bears locked in a rusty cage near a restaurant in central Romania. They were used as live bait for customers — the animals spent years cramped in iron boxes without proper food or veterinary care. This incident became the catalyst for creating the largest brown bear sanctuary in the world. The refuge was named Libearty Bear Sanctuary — in memory of the bear Maya, who spent years as a dancing bear and suffered abuse. Today, this place is not just a shelter, but a real "retirement home" for former captive animals who finally got a chance to live with dignity.

Who Lives at the Sanctuary

The sanctuary grounds cover 69 hectares of oak and walnut forest in the Carpathian Mountains above the Transylvanian town of Zărnești. Here live over 100 brown bears — exact numbers are constantly updated as rescue operations continue. Most inhabitants were found suffering in small rusty cages across the country: they were used as pets, attractions for restaurants and gas stations. Bear cubs were caught in the wild and kept in captivity their entire lives with poor nutrition and minimal veterinary care. Now they live in their natural habitat, climb trees, swim in deep pools, and play with each other.

Rescued Bears: Stories from Cages to Forest

Over the years of the sanctuary's existence, more than 123 bears have been rescued. Among them are former dancing bears, circus performers, animals from restaurants and gas stations. One of the most famous stories is the bear Betsy, who started her early life as a circus bear in Texas, USA, and then became the first bear transported abroad to the sanctuary. Recently, staff rescued bear cubs that had become "urbanized" — accustomed to city environments and unable to survive in the wild. Each animal undergoes rehabilitation, receives veterinary care, and gradually adapts to life in freedom.

How to Get from Brașov to Zărnești

The sanctuary is located in the town of Zărnești, Brașov County, in the Carpathian Mountains. From Brașov, you can reach it in several ways: rent a car, take a taxi (Uber operates in the region), use public transport, or join a tour group. The drive takes about 30–40 minutes. Many tourists combine visiting the sanctuary with exploring Bran Castle (the so-called "Dracula's Castle") and walking through the Old Town of Brașov. For those who cannot visit in person, a live webcam is available — the stream runs around the clock.

Famous Inhabitants of the Sanctuary

Among the permanent residents of Libearty Bear Sanctuary are the bear Maria and the bear Marco, who have become the symbols of the refuge. The bear Maya, in whose memory the sanctuary was created, spent years as a dancing bear and suffered abuse. Her story inspired Cristina Lapis to create the refuge. Every bear here has a name and its own unique rescue story — sanctuary staff know all the inhabitants by sight and monitor their health and behavior.

Visiting the Sanctuary: Tickets and Tours

Tickets to the sanctuary can be purchased online on official websites or through travel agencies. Transfers and guided tours from Brașov are available. Each tour has a limited number of spots — this is done specifically to ensure the bears' peace and quiet. Visitors walk among ancient oak trees, watching the animals climb, play, rest, and swim in deep pools. The tour lasts about 1.5–2 hours and leaves unforgettable impressions. All proceeds from ticket sales go toward maintaining the sanctuary and rescuing new bears.

What You Can See on the Webcam

The live webcam at Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Brașov shows rescued brown bears in their natural habitat. The stream runs 24/7, and viewers can watch the animals in real time. On camera 1, you can see bears climbing trees, playing with each other, resting in the shade of oaks, and swimming in deep pools. The camera is set up on the 69-hectare forest grounds where more than 100 bears live. This is a unique opportunity to see the lives of rescued animals without having to travel to Romania — just turn on the stream and watch the bears in their natural habitat.