Cristina Lapis
on Creating a Bear Sanctuary to Restore their “Libearty”
“When I first Maya, she was weak and could hardly raise her head. She was forgotten in a dirty rusty cage, simply waiting to die. When I looked into her eyes, I could only feel boundless anger towards all the ones who condemned a beautiful bear to a slow and painful death.”
Maya, or the sad beginning of a luminous project. Her story could have been Alisa’s, the bear who grew up in a circus tamed to recognize only the sound of the whip. Or Baloo’s, the one who lived in a restaurant’s improvised “mini zoo”. Or it can be any bear’s story.
Cristina Lapis, a former journalist, travelled over 60 km every day for years to feed Maya, cheer her up, and improve her health. She would recognize the sound of her car and stand up to greet Cristina: “She taught me all the values of an innocent animal’s soul and gratitude.” When Maya began to show new signs of depression, she started to mutilate herself, chewing her right paw to the bone: “Maya died in my arms. I will never forget her sad eyes and all her blood. All I could do was to keep my promise: to build a bear sanctuary and make sure no other bear will ever go through such suffering.”
Back in 1997, when society saw a ray of light towards democracy, Cristina saw a ray of hope for tormented animals that no one protected. Millions of Friends Association (AMP), the animal protection NGO she founded with her husband, Roger Lapis, focused on rescuing stray dogs and animals needing help. Years later, with immense efforts, they created a haven on earth for bears in the heart of Transylvania, Romania.
AMP Libearty Bear Sanctuary is considered not only the largest brown bear sanctuary in the world but also the most ethical one. Before arriving at the sanctuary, so many of the bears didn’t even know how to climb a tree. Cristina rescued hundreds of them from an abusive nightmare life.
Romania is a bear country. However, the bear is one of the animal species that has suffered the most due to trophy hunting, illegal deforestation and lack of natural food, leading to an imbalance among the bear population. Cristina thinks a balanced, educated view on how to handle this human-bear conflict is needed: “It’s necessary to educate people to change the optics through which the bear is seen. It is not a ‘beast’, nor it is a ‘teddy bear’. We humans are the conscious ones capable of responsibility.”
She is globally recognized and admired for her unconditional fight for animal welfare, having been awarded the “Conservationist of the Year“ at the Animal Hero Awards by Daily Mirror. But it’s Cristina's genuine love and big heart that make her an inspiring example of bravery, pure dedication and passionate resilience in fighting to protect the beautiful animal world.
Read her answers for Inspirators and make sure to visit Libearty’s bear family!
Thank you, Cristina, for being an Animal LiBearator!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Cristina Lapis
Company / Institution: Asociația Milioane de Prieteni (AMP - Millions of Friends Association); Libearty Bear Sanctuary Zărnești (Romania)
Title: President
Website: https://millionsoffriends.org/en/
Country of origin: Romania
Country you currently live in: Romania
Your definition of Regeneration: Our planet is an ecosystem of which we humans are also a part. All our harmful actions on the environment led to an imbalance in the harmony of creation, bringing with it disasters such as global warming or pandemics, but also the disappearance of thousands of species of animals, plants and insects. The planet is our home, everyone's, and we depend on its well-being. It is the example of the snail that the moment it no longer has a shell, it dies and its lifeless house is useless.
To me, regeneration is the art of living together in harmony in the great house called "planet"!
Main business challenge you face: The widespread lack of education in the field of animal protection in Romania.
Main driver that keeps you going: Compassion for all living creatures.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: My ability to be a good leader.
The trait you most value in others: Loyalty.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Saving an animal, a bird, an insect even a tree or a dried plant!
The Inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path: All the moments of witnessing so much cruelty in this wide world!
A starting point for companies or professionals that are beginning the regeneration journey: Start by believing in a cause!
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: None, I find it just too sad to see animals suffering.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: People who don’t dream have no future!
Books that had a great impact on you / Must-Reads for any regenerative professional:
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Movies / Documentaries you would watch all over again: Preferisco Paradiso
Websites / Podcasts you visit frequently: Anything related to helping animals in danger.
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: Classical music.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: All the countries where the animal rights are respected.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow: Follow all the ones who can inspire you towards good actions!
Events we should attend / Best places for networking (online or offline): Simply go to shelters for animal rescue!
Impactful and relevant Sustainable Development or Regeneration courses or certifications: Get involved in and learn about whatever could passionately determine you to start a useful action for our planet!
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: The young generation's will to live in harmony.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: Wars, climate change, poverty.
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Leading by example, having the ability to inspire and being a role model.
The Inspirator(s) you are endorsing for a future edition:
Peter Egan, actor involved in animal protection
The quote that inspires you:
"Education is the most powerful weapon to change the future. (Nelson Mandela)"
“We don’t have two hearts, one for animals and one for humans. We have one heart or we don’t have any.” (Alphonse de Lamartine)
Your quote that will inspire us:
