For more than a year a female bear named Poka was illegally kept in a private backyard in the Częstochowa region, prompting police action and a relocation to Poznań Zoo.
The case begins
The incident was first reported to police by the Regional Environmental Protection Directorate in Katowice. Authorities learned that a bear named Poka was being kept on a private property in the municipality of Kłomnice. Officers from the Częstochowa command investigated for over a year, determining that the animal was not housed in conditions that met legal requirements.
Animal transferred to zoo
After confirming the violations, police partnered with the Central Animal Shelter and arranged for the bear’s transport to the Poznań Zoo. The shelter confirmed that Poka arrived safely and is expected to be available for public visits.
Owner charged
The 49‑year‑old Częstochowa resident who was responsible for the bear faces a charge for violating the ban on keeping dangerous animals. Under current regulations he could receive up to five years in prison. Police noted that the bear had been kept in unlawful conditions and that intervention was necessary for its safety.
