For the First Time in 18 Years, Bear Cubs Born at the Goldau Nature and Animal Park
16.01.2026 | from Goldau Nature and Animal Park
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16.01.2026, On January 11, 2026, the bear Tamar gave birth to cubs for the first time. The father is the 18-year-old Takis. The birth is an important success for species conservation as the animals belong to the endangered subspecies of Syrian brown bears.
On January 11, animal keepers at the Goldau Nature and Animal Park noticed small movements in Tamar's belly area via surveillance cameras in the winter dens. It quickly became clear that the eight-year-old brown bear had given birth for the first time. The number of cubs is still undetermined, and it is uncertain whether all the cubs will survive.
Birth during Hibernation, First Sighting in Spring
The timing of the birth corresponds to the natural reproductive conditions of brown bears. After mating season in the spring, a phase known as embryonic diapause occurs, during which the embryo does not develop further initially. The subsequent development is timed so that the cubs are born during hibernation.
At birth, the young bears are very small and helpless. They will spend the coming weeks with mother Tamar in the new winter dens in the park, where she will nurse them, and they will grow rapidly. 'In spring, the cubs will leave the winter den with their mother Tamar and will be visible to our visitors for the first time,' says Dr. Pascal Marty, Head of Zoology and Curator of the Goldau Nature and Animal Park.
Breeding Possible Again
Since 2008, the Goldau Nature and Animal Park has deliberately refrained from breeding brown bears. However, throughout Europe, there are animals from rescue centres that can no longer be released and need a permanent home. Thus, in 2024, the bears Tamar and Dalia also came to Goldau.
A new breeding program specifically for the Syrian subspecies of the brown bear is currently being established in Europe. This program now also enables targeted breeding at the Goldau Nature and Animal Park and has resulted in offspring for the first time in 18 years.
Contribution to the Protection of an Endangered Subspecies
Species protection, along with nature conservation, research, and education, is a central task of a modern zoo. The Syrian brown bear is considered highly endangered: in many parts of its original range, it is already extinct or the populations are seriously declining. By keeping and breeding this smallest subspecies of the brown bear, the Goldau Nature and Animal Park makes an important contribution to their protection.
Goldau Nature
and Animal Park
Parkstrasse 38
6410 Goldau
+41 41 859 06 06
info@tierpark.ch
www.tierpark.ch
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Goldau Nature and Animal Park
The Goldau Nature and Animal Park is located in a wild and romantic landslide area. In the 42- hectare park with over 100 native and European animal species, visitors can experience wildlife on an exciting and informative tour.
In the pristine nature, visitors can observe sika deer, wolves, bears, lynxes, and birds of prey up close.
No matter the season, the Goldau Nature and Animal Park offers plenty for young and old to experience. Expansive free-roaming zones for feeding and petting animals, rest and picnic areas, adventure playgrounds, tours, and much more encourage active encounters between humans and animals.
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Source: Goldau Nature and Animal Park, Press release
Original article published on: Erstmals seit 18 Jahren Bärennachwuchs im Natur- und Tierpark Goldau