The European brown bear is the largest living terrestrial carnivore in Europe’s vast forests and mountain regions. Despite its powerful build, it is remarkably agile and can run fast, swim and climb. With its strong claws, it digs for roots and insects or turns over heavy stones in search of food.
As an omnivore, the brown bear feeds on plants, insects, fish and small mammals. In autumn, it builds up a thick layer of fat before retreating to a den for its winter dormancy. Although mating takes place in spring or summer, embryo development is delayed for several months, ensuring that the cubs are born in the den during hibernation.
In 1993, five brown bear cubs were born at Tierpark Stadt Haag, an extraordinary event that attracted international attention. It was the first time that brown bear quintuplets had ever been born in a zoo. These brown bear quintuplets achieved worldwide fame upon being entered into the Guinness Book of Records.
Schindel Nikolaus, Wien
