Animals Asia rescues seven bears from bile farming hotspot in Vietnam

Today Animals Asia rescued seven bears from the notorious bile farming hotspot of Phung Thuong, near Hanoi in Vietnam.

The bears were voluntarily surrendered by the farmer who was caught and charged with illegally transporting 350 bottles of bear bile on May 27, 2022 - the largest haul of illegal bear bile in the country.

Just two days ago, the Phuc Tho District Forestry Protection Department (FPD) contacted Animals Asia asking us to rescue the bears as soon as possible.

A race to rescue

The team immediately responded, preparing and planning not only the transport logistics for onsite rescue at the farm, but also getting the space ready to receive these bears into the quarantine area at our Tam Dao sanctuary.

These bears will take the last available spaces at the current sanctuary, increasing the urgent need for Animals Asia’s second Vietnam sanctuary in Bach Ma National Park, which commences construction in one week.

A dark past, but a bright future

Before today these long-suffering bears were existing in awful conditions - most likely stolen from the wild as cubs, kept in tiny solitary cages for their entire lives and subject to regular, painful bile extraction.

But from now on they will be free from the pain and torment of their years of incarceration, with the best care and comfort provided for them by the amazing bear and vet team at Animals Asia’s award winning Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre.

Lotus Flowers

Much like the lotus flower that symbolises renewal and rebirth in the local culture, these bears will experience a life renewed, rising from the desolation of their lonely, stagnant farm cages, to be finally recognised and treated as the beautiful, pure individuals they have always been.

And so we have named these bears after different types of lotus flowers; Clear Moon, King, Lavender, Perry, Cherry, Carolina and Scarlet.

And with you by our side, we look forward to helping them bloom.

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