With the arrival of autumn, the WSPA trekkers have also arrived to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zărnești. The travelers are participating in an organized program for the protection and welfare of the Libearty bears, in which they must traverse the Bucegi Mountains to reach the sanctuary. Basically, the program reconciles the pleasure of climbing mountains with the moral duty to help animals.
Sixteen people left the start line in Sinaia, from the 1400 quota, in the second week of September. Because of bad weather the trekkers failed to reach the Omu peak, but the experience through this journey was as satisfactory. „We had a day of fog and low visibility and generally we had wind and rain on the way. It was very interesting for the nature to show people the other side of the mountain, the one that is not sunny nor too hot. It was a real experience with the outcome of visiting the sanctuary, a place that surprises you every time you see it”, says Jennifer, the guide of the 15 travelers.
„ What you are doing here is wonderful”
The group was composed of young and elderly women and men, mostly from UK. The veteran of this group was Rachel, a lady from London in seek of strong sensations at 61 years. For the sake of the bears of course. „ It’s something I wanted to do for a long time. I’ve spent a wonderful week with wonderful people and I have no regrets at all. It’s true that there were times when I wished I would have made a will, but it was worth it. I was thinking that if I was to die, this would be a great place, absolutely fantastic”, says Rachel, who turned 61, a week before departing to Romania. Noteworthy is that the record age for “bear trekking” is 68 years.
On Friday, September 13th, the trekkers crossed the finish line from the Libearty bear sanctuary. The majority were acquainted for the first time in life with a bear. „What you are doing here is wonderful. I find it interesting that it all started with British tourists who have seen bears kept in cages and reacted. Since then, Romanians have addressed this issue and turned the situation and this is absolutely wonderful. I’ll go home with another image of Romania in mind. It is a fantastic country and the people are absolutely wonderful, “says Rachel.
The trekkers made the tour of the sanctuary, watched the documentary and took pictures with bears. Colin, the most faithful traveler was the fifth time in the sanctuary, therefore we asked him to tell us what is different from last year. „I noticed right from the barrier the new entry for visitors and the center that previously was only at the framing stage. I noticed that now bears have also Beehives, and the 3rd enclosure is greener than last year”, tells us Colin impressed.
