Bear Keeping at Český Krumlov Castle – Current Situation
Three brown bears (Ursus arctos) are currently kept in the moats of Český Krumlov Castle:
- Marie Terezie, a 33-year-old female, is housed alone in a separate concrete enclosure of approximately 250 m².
- Vilém and Polyxena, both 8 years old, share a second enclosure measuring 620 m².
Marie Terezie was brought from Austria, while Vilém and Polyxena were confiscated from Russian smugglers at Václav Havel Airport in 2017 and placed in this facility. The enclosures remain permanently separated due to ongoing conflicts between Marie Terezie and the two younger bears.
Enclosure Conditions
Marie Terezie’s enclosure does not meet the minimum standards set by Czech law (Decree No. 213/2022 Sb.), as its size is only 250 m² compared to the legally required minimum of 300 m². Moreover, the floor is entirely concrete, whereas the regulations allow up to 50% artificial surfaces. The castle, as the official keeper, has therefore repeatedly obtained exemptions from the State Veterinary Administration.
Behavior and Health Observations
Our ongoing monitoring since 2023 has identified several welfare concerns:
- The younger bears frequently show issues with fur condition and hair loss.
- All three bears consistently produce diarrhea; normal stool consistency has not been observed.
- All three exhibit pronounced stereotypic behaviors, a common indicator of stress or poor welfare in carnivores:
- Marie Terezie circles her enclosure when physically able, but due to age and probable arthritis, she spends most of her time lying on the concrete.
- Vilém follows a complex repetitive route between the cage and the feeding stone, circling his head repeatedly before returning along the same path; this behavior can continue for hours.
- Polyxena repeatedly walks in circles or back and forth along the rear of the enclosure or near the pond for several hours each afternoon. See a recent observation here:
Public Concern
Since 2007, hundreds of complaints have been submitted by Czech and international visitors regarding the bears’ conditions. In 2023, an online petition to protect the bears gathered approximately 115,000 signatures. Public awareness is also reflected in Google Reviews, where visitors consistently highlight inadequate conditions:
Google Reviews
As an example: in July 2025, tourist Magdalena Szafrańska recorded Marie Terezie lying on the concrete enclosure in her own excrement. She expressed serious concerns about the unsuitable conditions in which the bears are kept. The bear’s immobile posture on bare concrete is widely interpreted as a sign of stress or suffering. The enclosure is so unnatural that even non-experts immediately recognize its inadequacy. More information and photographs are available in Ms. Szafrańska’s post:
Facebook Post
Bears at Točník Castle
Currently, two 11-year-old brown bears live in the moat of Točník Castle: a male, Martin, and a female, Agáta. They were donated to the castle in late 2013 by the renowned Czech filmmaker Václav Chaloupek.
The enclosure measures approximately 1,170 m² and includes trees and other structures. These are fenced with steel and electric barriers to prevent climbing. However, visitors have been observed feeding inappropriate food to the bears directly over the bars and electric fencing, without intervention from staff or warning signs.
Despite this, no health issues or stereotypic behaviors have been observed in Martin and Agáta, likely due to their history as “movie bears” and their long-term close contact with humans. Nevertheless, improvements in feeding management and stricter control of visitor interactions are strongly recommended.
