Kuterevo Bear Refuge
Utočište za mlade medvjede Kuterevo
An orphan brown bear refuge run by villagers and volunteers, where visitors can observe brown bears living in the forest up close, with optional donations for entry.
The refuge was founded in 2002 to care for bear cubs that lost their mothers. The bears live in a large, fenced forest, and visitors watch from a fence-side trail while volunteers explain bear behavior and conservation. It is not a zoo, and there are no performances. Entry is by donation. The refuge is in the village of Kuterevo on the northern slope of the Velebit Mountains, about 50 km from the Sixteen Lakes, roughly a 50-minute drive, and can be combined with North Velebit National Park.
Opening hours
Approx. 9:00 am–7:00 pm (shorter hours in winter)
Nearby sights
- Northern Velebit National Park (Zavižan)
- Majerovo Vrilo (Gacka Source)
- Nikola Tesla Memorial Centre
- Upper Lakes
- Veliki slap (Great Waterfall)
- Lower Lakes
- Lake Kozjak
- Šupljara Cave