Man And Bear Sanctuary: Bosnian electrician’s rescue reshapes family home; future of bears uncertain

In the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an unexpected rescue has grown into a remarkable bond between a man and a bear. Petar Tubic, an electrician living on Mount Ozren, took in an abandoned bear cub in 2019 and raised her after finding her alone in the forest. Six years later, the bear, named Masa, weighs around 150 kilograms but continues to seek the closeness she enjoyed as a cub. An Associated Press report published on October 24, 2026, documented their unusual friendship, which has also transformed Tubic’s property into a haven for rescued wildlife. Coverage by Reuters Connect has similarly drawn attention to his growing family of animals.From a vulnerable cub to a 150-kilogram bearWhen Tubic found Masa in 2019, she weighed just two kilograms. Separated from her mother and left alone in the forest, the young bear was unlikely to survive without help. Tubic took her home, where he fed her milk and fruit and helped her regain her strength. What began as an act of compassion soon changed his everyday life. Caring for a bear was unfamiliar territory for the electrician, who had to learn how to meet the animal’s needs as she grew.Today, Masa is a powerful adult bear, yet some ...