A bear named Napa spent seven years confined to a small cage after Serbia banned the use of wild animals in circuses. Finally, in 2016, Napa was rescued by a Serbian zoo, where he was slowly nursed back to health. Napa was severely malnourished when he got to the zoo, but thanks to the care he received there, he quickly bulked up to a healthy 700 pounds!

Once Napa was healthy again, it came time to move him to a better facility. It was decided that Napa would become the first resident of the new Arosa Bear Sanctuary in the Swiss Alps, but since he had grown to such a big size, moving him this time was no easy task.

The rescue group Four Paws International stepped in to facilitate Napa's move. The group described the new sanctuary that Napa was moving to as a three hectares site “with numerous enrichment opportunities, ponds and trees for up to five bears. The geographical location of the sanctuary with altitude, slope and natural vegetation offers a habitat that is very close to the natural environment of the animals.”

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“It was hard for us to part with him as we had grown to like him,” said Kristijan Ovari, a curator at the zoo where Napa was nursed back to health. “He is very intelligent, very curious. He’s always the first there to see what’s happening.”

Napa has only been at his new home for a few months, but from his very first day there, he loved the freedom that he has at the sanctuary! After spending years in a tiny cage, Napa had never experienced freedom like this before!

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Just a few weeks ago, Napa got to experience his first snowfall! At first, he was confused by the snow and didn't quite know what to do.

However, before long, he was playing in the snow and having the time of his life!

We're so glad that Napa finally has the freedom that he deserves! Watch his reaction to his first snowfall in the video below!

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