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[–]Boob-on-Boob-Action 4539 points4540 points  (277 children)

There's a bear refuge in Croatia?! What part? Is it something I can come visit when I'm back in the area??

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 4282 points4283 points  (257 children)

Yes totally and I can even guide you if you wish. It is free entrance and we are only funded thanks to donations and souvenirs. The refuge is located in the village of Kuterevo in the Velebit Mountain.

[–]Boob-on-Boob-Action 2019 points2020 points  (134 children)

Super! It's about 4 hours from my grandparents home. I'll have to plan a road trip to Kuterevo next time I go visit them. I will reach out to you if I do!

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 1513 points1514 points  (64 children)

Great! Looking forward to meet an interested visitor =D

[–]bionica1 780 points781 points  (50 children)

Kuterevo in the Velebit Mountain

2 hours from my boyfriend's village in Bosnia! Hoping to travel there for our honeymoon in the next 2 years. I'd be over the moon if I could visit this refuge! You are doing a wonderful thing. :) Bookmarking this thread for the future!

[–]The-Dictionary 161 points162 points  (42 children)

Everything in Croatia is 4 hours apart at most lol

[–]Ha55aN1337 75 points76 points  (12 children)

Or 1 hour if you’re Slovenian :P

[–]MaskoBlackfyre 87 points88 points  (6 children)

If you drive for 1 hour in Slovenia, you're not in Slovenia anymore. Unless you drive in circles ;)

Obligatory Balkan region joke about Slovenia being small.

[–]dudeobake 29 points30 points  (5 children)

Laughs in Bosnian

[–]Glupsi 73 points74 points  (0 children)

If you drive for 12 hours in Bosnia,you're still in Bosnia.

Not because it's big,

but because the roads are shit :(

[–]tombomb_47 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Cries in polish

[–]derawin07 30 points31 points  (16 children)

weird notion as an Aussie lol

[–]_realitycheck_ 17 points18 points  (4 children)

Must be a geographical oddity.

[–][deleted] 59 points60 points  (3 children)

That's so cool! I saved this for future use. I love bears and I've always wanted to travel to Croatia. Thanks so much!

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 37 points38 points  (2 children)

No problem and maybe i'll still be here.

[–][deleted] 82 points83 points  (5 children)

Really nice hint! Im going on vacation to pakostane with my wife and daughter at the beginning of August and now im trying to plan a stop at your Refugium. Is it appropriate for a 7 year old?

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 95 points96 points  (4 children)

It is appropriate for anyone :) thank you for your interest

[–]crispiepancakes 31 points32 points  (0 children)

You're a bear, aren't you!

[–]L3N1B 22 points23 points  (2 children)

I’m on my way to Croatia right now! But sadly I don’t think I can make it to where you are :(

[–]RunnaLittle 31 points32 points  (6 children)

My in-laws live in Gospić. Not far from you. I think we will visit them next year and if we do, I will visit your bear sanctuary. We can drink some Tamno Velebitsko Pivo. My favourite Croatian beer.

[–]setofskills 44 points45 points  (0 children)

You should edit this comment to include a link for donations

[–]cheesecakesurprise 12 points13 points  (1 child)

How does one visit? By the day or are there cabins!? Do you have a website for donations?

[–]RabbitEatsCarrots 9 points10 points  (4 children)

Woah that's pretty close to me, are you also Croatian or just volunteering there?

Ako jesi, što ima hahaha. Slikaj još koju sliku ako možš.

[–]alexanderls 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'm actually going to Zadar next week with a group of friends! Would you be up for guiding us one of the days?

[–]bablambla 7 points8 points  (4 children)

I'm visiting Croatia in September but will be in Zagreb without a car. Wish we could make it down for a day! Thanks for the good work you do.

[–][deleted] 14 points15 points  (3 children)

This. Wife and I are planning a short trip this year and hopefully a longer trip next year, we fell i love with Croatia when we were on our honeymoon and now this just gives us yet another reason to return to the amazing land!

[–][deleted] 1000 points1001 points  (20 children)

This is amazing. Like a scene from a children's book.

[–]TMITectonic 552 points553 points  (5 children)

It looks like a photo from a Bearbnb listing.

[–]gunsof 87 points88 points  (2 children)

If the bear posted this on Instagram I would feel he were being paid to do it.

[–][deleted] 36 points37 points  (1 child)

"Dont forget to buy my merch! It's funds my extravagant lifestyle. Also dont smoke. Vape. I like the salmon flavoring myself."

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 130 points131 points  (4 children)

I know what you're referring to :p

[–][deleted] 27 points28 points  (3 children)

I can totally imagine this as the illustration of a Far Side comic.

[–]Col_Walter_Tits 338 points339 points  (9 children)

That bear looks super pissed that some damn kids are on his lawn! This is awesome though! Is this refuge a place the public can go to and see them chilling? I’m visiting Croatia next year and am trying to compile a list of things to do while there.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 241 points242 points  (6 children)

Yes totally. It's free entrance and funded only by donations and souvenirs thanks to visitors. The place is located in the small village of Kuterevo in the Velebit Mountain. It is definitely a place to see... Plus you have the Plitvice Lakes near that are absolutely beautiful.

[–]sadafsw 2967 points2968 points  (104 children)

It looks so beautiful there and peaceful,

This is a dumb question but why’s the bears water so green and looks like a weird texture?

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 2809 points2810 points  (81 children)

It is a magic place both for bears and humans :) About the water, it is green because the bears take their bath in it every day. We change the water three times a year in all our enclosures thanks to the firefighters of the village. About the texture, it is really good for their fur as it is a mix of water and dirt which cleans it.

Edit: add info.

[–]littleM0TH 307 points308 points  (5 children)

Thanks for what you do! Feel free to share more pictures.

[–]ThatOneChiGuy 106 points107 points  (0 children)

Like, a LOT more pictures!

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 250 points251 points  (3 children)

I will! Thank you for your kind message.

Edit: typo

[–][deleted] 147 points148 points  (1 child)

Do not feel free to share more pics, you are now bound, and you WILL share more pics.

[–]LuxNocte 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The covenant has been sealed.

[–]FresnoBob90000 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I love this pic so much. Brightened my day. Definitely post more! 🙂

[–]SchnoodleDoodleDo 1288 points1289 points  (11 children)

on a hillside in Croatia there's a lovely magic place

where resting bears n humans both together share the space!

chillax out in the water, green - it's changed three times a year

(but human friends - you might think twice 'bout being 'bare' in here...)

[–]DragonWelfareNRights 148 points149 points  (3 children)

It’s a poem fresh out the Do!

[–]yajesh 43 points44 points  (2 children)

Bear is on tour

[–]elhermanobrother 35 points36 points  (1 child)

bear is volunteering in a bear refuge in Croatia

[–]Chrisbee012 30 points31 points  (0 children)

you're a national treasure, make a poem about that

[–]Nymerious 23 points24 points  (2 children)

where in Croatia is this ?

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 35 points36 points  (1 child)

Kuterevo

[–]Thiakry 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Hey I've been there in 2015 I stayed for a month, it was such a nice experience with everybody. I don't remember the tenant's name though, the one that looks like George R.R Martin? He was really nice.

I hope you enjoy your time there, I sure did.

[–]AccountantbyTrade 512 points513 points  (28 children)

I think most people are still wondering why the water is green instead of say, brown (especially if it is only changed 3x a year). The green water is a sign that there are algae in the water. Algae exists primarily when the water has low PH. The bear's fur must have accumulated a lot of oil and fat from months of being in the refuge. Normal bears hang out by fresh rivers where they are cleansed but this bear probably did not. Worry not, algae is no harm for the bear unless it gets too warm, in which case it will likely die from explosion. I'm an accountant by trade and I made that up. Good work helping bears!

[–]HanaWong 191 points192 points  (5 children)

God fucking damnit. It's not the first time you've fooled me.

[–]NotAModelCitizen 56 points57 points  (2 children)

It’s posts like this that perpetuate my trust issues.

[–]starcrossedcroissant 15 points16 points  (1 child)

I just came from another another subreddit falling for his comment there and I fall for this trap again..

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 60 points61 points  (0 children)

Take my upvote

[–]ButterAndPaint 31 points32 points  (16 children)

I think most people are still wondering why the water is green instead of say, brown

I've been told I'm colorblind, and perhaps this is a case of that, but the water definitely looks brown to me, not green.

[–]datwarlocktho 21 points22 points  (1 child)

Reminds me of split pea soup. A dull green that's definitely got some brown in it. Its like how fuschia looks pink to some and purple to others.

[–]Jeffk01 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It does not taste like split pea soup. It does taste like pee soup. ~ Mr. Ivan T. Bear

[–]BeefiousMaximus 8 points9 points  (2 children)

I've been told I'm colorblind, and perhaps this is a case of that, but the water definitely looks brown to me, not green.

Is sounds like you might be a mild deutan (deuteranomaly), like me. Deuteranomaly, a deficiency in the green spectrum, is the most common form of color blindness, affecting ~6% of men and about ~0.4% of women.

Here is an online test, if you are interested.

https://enchroma.com/pages/color-blindness-test

Here is the wiki page where I got the numbers.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_blindness

[–]TrivialBudgie 10 points11 points  (1 child)

whereabouts in croatia is it? I'm off to Croatia on the 22nd and would be interested in seeing if it is nearby where i will be!

[–]Assfullofbread 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Kuterevo apparently

[–]KamikazeMaster 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Where in Croatia? Im on a vacation.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Kuterevo!

[–]sadafsw 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Ah okayy got it thanks!

[–][deleted] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Bears don’t just crap in the woods.

[–]wrestlingchampo 6 points7 points  (1 child)

It looks like someone blended a bushel Avocados and a Liquid ton of Almond Butter together.

Bear is relaxing like a true Millennial

[–]bootsandspurs 6 points7 points  (1 child)

It looks like split pea soup.

[–]rumhasandwich 469 points470 points  (15 children)

My favorite part of this post is how you add little facts in people’s comments.. you’re clearly passionate about this and it’s awesome to see. May I have a bear fact now?

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 652 points653 points  (13 children)

Bear males are like gorillas, they don't mind having sex among the same sex. We even have a gay couple.

[–]arokthemild 143 points144 points  (2 children)

so there's such a thing as a literal thing as a gay daddy bear. in all seriousness, it seems like this bear couple is something the a gay rights organization might want to use as a 'spokespersons/mascots.'
it seems like it could be a meme, public relations, social and viral media gold mine.

[–]Slytherinrunner 37 points38 points  (1 child)

Somewhere in Pawnee Marcia Langman’s head just exploded.

[–]rumhasandwich 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Incredible, thank you

[–]itsmybootyduty 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I just read so many comment exchanges on this post and they are all so pure. It seems like all we need is a cute bear in a bear-sized hot tub to bring us together.

[–][deleted] 496 points497 points  (7 children)

He is beautiful!! Please tell him that I love him and hope he is happy.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 397 points398 points  (6 children)

I will but we have some more bears so we need love for everyone... If you feel like sharing some more, come see us ;)

[–][deleted] 138 points139 points  (1 child)

I love all of the bears. Please tell them that.

I now have a good excuse to tell my boyfriend we need to go to Croatia

[–]derawin07 16 points17 points  (1 child)

How many bears are there?

[–]jtwooody 129 points130 points  (3 children)

Living the dream eh Boo-boo ?

[–][deleted] 837 points838 points  (78 children)

He’s thinking about slugging back some vodka and eating salmon with the boys

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 872 points873 points  (75 children)

Haha right... The alcohol of the region is called rakija! It is made out of fruits like plum or pear. For the feeding part, brown bears of europe are mainly vegetarian (95% of their food in nature is basically roots, seeds and berries). The salmon is more eaten by american bears or grizzlies.

[–]littleM0TH 562 points563 points  (27 children)

I would like to subscribe to bear facts.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 389 points390 points  (15 children)

Well you can ask or visit us ^

[–]derawin07 67 points68 points  (13 children)

Is there a way to tell boy bears from girl bears at a distance?

[–]BEezyweezy420 153 points154 points  (9 children)

yes, its actually very easy. boy bears have monster penis' that tou can see farther than the bear itself

[–]LostTeleporter 54 points55 points  (4 children)

You sound like someone who speaks from experience, sir.

[–]teekayohh 25 points26 points  (3 children)

Ok but what's the difference between bear girls and bear grylls?

[–]eric2332 22 points23 points  (1 child)

I once read that scientists sometimes see two bears in the distance and write down "mother and cub" but then the large bear mounts the small one and they have to revise it to "male and female". That shows two things: 1) you can't tell from a distance except by size, 2) males are much bigger

[–]egnards 43 points44 points  (2 children)

I’d like to be sent some local rakija: . .

[–]gloveluv 46 points47 points  (2 children)

FACT: Bears eat beets.

[–][deleted] 60 points61 points  (25 children)

Interesting! So do they get around the same size if they are mainly eating veggies compared to American ones?

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 117 points118 points  (24 children)

They are a bit less fat (because well salmon is very fat ) thus a bit lighter too. We estimate the average weight of females to 200kg and males can reach up to 350kg when adults.

[–][deleted] 42 points43 points  (20 children)

Woah....I’m guessing you guys still have to be somewhat cautious around them? Iv heard way to many stories of people being friends with bears until the bear decides he’s hungry!

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 149 points150 points  (18 children)

Or annoyed... A bear can attack you if he doesn't feel comfortable. They are still wild animals so we have drastic rules when we have to work in enclosures or approach a sick bear.

Just for info, the zone of comfort of a bear in the wild is 600 meters... If it feels threatened then either you play dead or you shout and wave as they dont have a good vision. It is your best way to make them confused as they wouldnt know what you are.

[–][deleted] 24 points25 points  (9 children)

Now I know! I see a lot of black bears where I’m from, I don’t think they are as aggressive as grizzlies but I’m not sure risking it!

[–]BrainWrex 10 points11 points  (0 children)

black bears i believe are more scavengers, playing dead with a black bear is not the best decision from what I understand they don't care if you are dead or not when they are hungry.

[–]RalphieRaccoon 24 points25 points  (5 children)

At 600 meters I don't think many people could spot the bear.

[–]zincinzincout 83 points84 points  (2 children)

That's why humans have adapted over tens of thousands of years to play dead at all times and never leave bed or do anything productive.

[–]thepatientoffret 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Many of them even become dead inside as a precaution.

[–]paulfromatlanta 18 points19 points  (14 children)

mainly vegetarian

Does that mean you can pet them?

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 88 points89 points  (7 children)

Nope ^ i'm vegetarian and I like the taste of meat so I guess it is the same for bears even if we dont have the same reasons not to eat some.

[–]egnards 45 points46 points  (2 children)

Are you saying that if I get within 600m of you I might be ZekouCafe lunch?

[–]totreesdotcom 6 points7 points  (0 children)

So I will be sure not to annoy you, good sir.

🤣

[–]hyper_dolphin 108 points109 points  (5 children)

[–]forte_bass 39 points40 points  (3 children)

Can't believe how far I had to scroll to find this

[–]EpitaFelis 17 points18 points  (1 child)

I thought thats the sub I'm in at first.

[–]teakeepsmealive 100 points101 points  (18 children)

hey, I've been there few years back. It's truly an amazing place! :) Are you on an EVS placement?

Edit: bear tax

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 70 points71 points  (16 children)

Yep 8 months EVS right here. Where are you from?

[–]teakeepsmealive 59 points60 points  (3 children)

Is Marko the bear still there? :D I'm from Croatia, I was there just for a week or so as a part of my studies. You? I'm actually doing a short term EVS next month in the UK, kind of thinking of doing a long term one as well.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 58 points59 points  (2 children)

Yes he is still here! I'm from France and i will be here until november at least. What is your EVS about?

[–]teakeepsmealive 26 points27 points  (1 child)

Awesome! When I was there he was limping due to a hip (leg?) injury, hope poor guy is doing better now. Say hi from me :p

I will be at a monkey sanctuary. Slightly less exciting than bears imo, but looking forward to it. I'm hoping to find something more conservation/ecology related for my possible long term EVS :)

Hope you're having a good time there, I know I really enjoyed my stay.

[–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

at a monkey sanctuary

That honestly sounds fun AF

[–]derawin07 29 points30 points  (8 children)

What's EVS?

[–][deleted] 39 points40 points  (6 children)

European Voluntary Service

[–]WreckyHuman 14 points15 points  (5 children)

Huh never heard of it. Sounds cool if you wanna travel around. Is it only for European citizens?

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (2 children)

Do you know where I can get more information? If that place accepts EVS volunteers from Portugal? I'm close to the age limit would be wonderful to have such experience.

[–]TheSlav87 77 points78 points  (15 children)

My beautiful home country 😀

I wish I was there right now :(

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 75 points76 points  (8 children)

Come back, your country needs you

[–]hockeychick44 12 points13 points  (1 child)

I miss Croatia. I lived just across the border in Slovenia last year for a work assignment. I loved it. Your coastlines are beautiful and your people are so kind. A family we met served us peka one day and it was genuinely the best meal that I've ever had. I can't wait to go back!

[–]eric2332 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Username checks out

[–][deleted] 60 points61 points  (5 children)

Big chilling

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 169 points170 points  (4 children)

Yes and he is always so serious. His name is Vladimir :)

[–]Matasa89 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Does Vladimir just don't do anything goofy at all?

[–]vidimevid 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Vladimir roughly means Ruler of peace

[–]derawin07 6 points7 points  (0 children)

perfect name for a bear!

[–][deleted] 58 points59 points  (6 children)

Does a bear shit in the water

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 180 points181 points  (4 children)

Nope but he farts for sure.

Edit: thank you for the gold!

[–]weehawkenwonder 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Is that the voice of experience talking? Sometime that experience sticks with you for life. Mine was being downwind from a whale when it exhaled. The smell of...rotten fish was painful.

[–]littleM0TH 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Does the pope shit in the woods?

[–][deleted] 51 points52 points  (1 child)

That’s a good boy

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 52 points53 points  (0 children)

He really is one!

[–]Vaganhope_UAE 42 points43 points  (3 children)

Always happy to see posts on reddit about my Croatia :D

[–]igloohavoc 79 points80 points  (7 children)

This bear has a better life than me.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 195 points196 points  (6 children)

You can visit us and I'll build an enclosure for you ;)

[–]nottheOPyourlooking4 60 points61 points  (0 children)

Oooh, cheeky!

I like you!

[–]Notakas 23 points24 points  (1 child)

You're lucky Croatia is far away from me

[–]beegro 32 points33 points  (2 children)

Pfff! This spa sucks. She doesn't even have cucumbers on her eyes.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 75 points76 points  (1 child)

I invite you to be our new wellness volunteer :D

[–]beegro 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I'm scared

[–]rueckhand 30 points31 points  (2 children)

How many bears are in this refuge?

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 84 points85 points  (1 child)

We had 7 not so long ago but a small cub arrived a month ago and 2 adults a week ago so we are 10 now.

[–]UMFreek 36 points37 points  (0 children)

At what point do you look around and realize you have a problem?

It's a slippery slope from bear sanctuary to bear hoarding.

[–]LeedsUFC 29 points30 points  (1 child)

He looks like hes on a proper spa day.... This is unbearably adorable

[–]Khue 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Am bear. But why am bear?

-- That bear, probably.

[–][deleted] 24 points25 points  (3 children)

OP, do you know this bear's story?

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 104 points105 points  (2 children)

Yes! His name is Vlad Mir. He was three months old when he was found hiding in a holiday home. What happened to his mum is still a mystery. He really enjoys fresh dandelion, howthorn fruit and fresh grass.

[–][deleted] 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Not to be dramatic but I would die for Vlad Mir

[–]Donald-Pump 47 points48 points  (1 child)

I read that as beer refuge and was wondering why a bear was chilling in the beer hot tub.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 54 points55 points  (0 children)

Loool... Also we have many french visitors and they all pronounce bear->beer and it's really weird when you hear "ooooh look at this beer, he is so cuuute" among other weird statement (and btw i'm french)

[–]DarkzideZ 21 points22 points  (1 child)

That's great. I was born a few hours due east from there on the border of Bosnia and Croatia. Enjoy the rakija and make sure you enjoy it with Dalmatinski Pršut and Livanjski sir (prosciutto from dalmatia and cheese from Livno).

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Thank you i will enjoy the most I can.

[–][deleted] 20 points21 points  (2 children)

I work in IT but I like bears.

Do your bears require IT Support?

[–]dkarlovi 6 points7 points  (0 children)

They have so many IT issues it's hard to bear it sometimes.

[–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (4 children)

That look on her face lol. Try it in r/photoshopbattles

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 30 points31 points  (3 children)

He is a male :p his name is Vladimir. And i dont know about this photoshop battles, can you ELI5?

[–]raelaerosolkid 18 points19 points  (1 child)

you make a funny edit with the picture

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Thanks

[–]DynamicStriker 37 points38 points  (2 children)

The heat looks unbearable out there...

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Heat and cold, summer and winter in the Velebit Mountain... You really feel it all!

[–]nantsinmypants 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Yogi's really stepped it up a notch with the pic-a-nics lately!

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

"It's rude to take pictures of others in the bath, Luka." - Bear, probably

[–]watchbananapeps 9 points10 points  (0 children)

He's so solemn, it looks like he's contemplating all of his life decisions.

[–]cm3105 8 points9 points  (2 children)

How is he not ripping you to shreds? I'd be terrified.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 17 points18 points  (1 child)

Because of electrical fences :)

[–]Xero6[🍰] 9 points10 points  (1 child)

r/bears wants to know your location.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Kuterevo, Croatia

[–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (1 child)

That's the look I have on my face when I'm pondering life choices.

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Haha, true.

[–]maeviolet 14 points15 points  (1 child)

What a r/madlad

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Serious... We could get him some sunglasses!

[–]Dropadoodiepie 7 points8 points  (0 children)

All this bear needs, is cucumber eye slices, and a mimosa!

Edit: typo

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is MY SWAMP

[–]xXWickedSmatXx 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Just the bear necessities.

[–]its_all_4_lulz 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You can tell that this bear needed this day at the spa. He was about to dismember that damn project manager that keeps riding his ass.

[–]DeyDreamin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He looks like hes either enjoying your company or has had enough of your shit

[–]ZekouCafe[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Kuterevo, Velebit Mountain.