Day 3: Gruelling journey sees bears halfway home

28 March 2015

Coco builds here first next using browse foraged by the rescue team

The Ben Tre Rescue team reached the halfway point today and reports suggest bears Coco, Yogi and Bern are settling well.

The third day of driving was easily the longest with the team setting off at 4.30am – long before sunrise.

With 600km of coast between them and a night’s sleep in the city of Danang, the team were predicting a gruelling 14 to 16 hours of travel.

Paramount is the safety of Coco, Yogi and Bern – rescued from bile farms in Ben Tre and Ba Ria City.

The bears started the day with an intriguing breakfast of watermelon, pumpkin, dragon fruit and sweet potato – a far cry from the days of bile farm rice gruel.

Traditionally bear bile farms feed bears nothing but rice.  Welcome to your new life.

The road from Phan Rang to Danang isn’t always easy, with many sections under construction or being repaired – but the team enjoyed some of the most incredible scenery Vietnam’s southern coast has to offer.

With stops scheduled every two hours the whole rescue team has been helping out with bear care including preparing food, cleaning the cages and making sure the bears are kept cool and comfortable at all times.

Bear Team Supervisor Tuan cleans the floor of the truck

Yogi’s badly broken and painful teeth are being managed through pain-relief medicine hidden in marshmallow and dipped in honey. This is pain he most likely has lived with for years.

Bear Team Supervisor Dao Chau Tuan was on the look out for “browse” and managed to forage jackfruit and banana tree leaves for the bears.

Browse is the perfect travel companion for a bear as they can use it as bedding, a toy – or a snack.

A coastal view in Vietnam's gorgeous Phu Yen province

Animals Asia Vietnam Director Tuan Bendixsen said:

“The bears appear to be handling the journey very well. We’re keeping them well fed, watered, clean and stimulated, so – travel aside - they’re actually enjoying conditions better than they have ever known.

“The team has plenty of experience of these long rescues so we’re well prepared for any eventuality. There have been no issues so far, but if something was to go wrong, we have contingencies in place.”

The entire rescue team has been overwhelmed by the words of support and encouragement they’ve received from all over the world, with both Senior Veterinarian Joost Philippa and Vet Nurse Lisa Brailey taking to social media to thank supporters first hand.

Lisa took to Animals Asia’s Facebook page to write:

“I'm absolutely overwhelmed with the wonderful messages flowing in from all over the world. The amazing comments and positive vibes are incredible. In the coming days as we slowly crawl up the coast, it will be a pleasure to read each and every one. Thank you all so much for your continued support. These 3 lucky bears wouldn't be on the way to paradise without you!”

Animals Asia’s UK Ambassador, Peter Egan also offered his support as did fellow Downton Abbey star Lesley Nicol.

The team expect to be in Danang after 9pm on Saturday evening before finally arriving at Animals Asia’s Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre early next week.


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