13 bile bears free from cages, thanks to you
News
The number of bears on bile farms in Vietnam has fallen to just 129 bears, and animal lovers like you are ensuring that not a single bear is left behind.
Image credit: FOUR PAWS
Thanks to you, our latest monitoring visits to bear farms across Vietnam have brought back exciting results for these incredible animals. We are thrilled to report that 13 more bears have left farms in the country and are now safe in sanctuaries run by Animals Asia Foundation.
Here’s a special message from our Wildlife Campaign Strategist, Rebecca, to celebrate this milestone:
Your support is helping us watch over the last bile bears. You’re standing by our side during our monitoring visits while we:
- Look for signs of illegal bile extraction
- Make sure every bear is microchipped and properly registered with authorities
- Negotiate their voluntary surrender to sanctuaries.
Every year, thanks to your compassion and support, we have the opportunity to change the lives of bears who have endured so much. There is no greater reward than knowing that a bear who once suffered in captivity can now live out their days in peace, surrounded by care, comfort and the freedom they deserve. Thank you for helping us make this possible.
In the last 10 years our annual monitoring programme has shown no new bears have entered bile farms in Vietnam. And, in that time 215 bears were moved to sanctuaries and rescue centres. They were surrendered voluntarily, because our generous supporters stood with us while we negotiated their freedom.
A new life for 13 bears
These 13 bears have spent years in small cages, suffering for their bile. Now they will experience the freedom that comes with having the space to roam, forage and bathe in the sun. Finally, they can simply be bears.
What’s next
In the coming weeks we’re working with Vietnam’s Forest Protection Department and our partners in Vietnam to carry out extra visits to the four provinces with the most bears on bile farms. This includes Hanoi where half of the existing bears remain. These visits help ensure no new bears are taken from the wild and keeps the pressure on farmers to voluntarily surrender their bears to sanctuaries.
Together you’re helping us protect bears from suffering. On behalf of the remaining 129 bears waiting for freedom, thank you for keeping the pressure up.
Traditional medicine
Every year, thousands of animals are bred in captivity or snatched from the wild to fuel the traditional medicine market.
Bear facts
Did you know there are eight species of bears including the Asiatic black bear, sloth bear, sun bear, and brown bear?