The fight to save 23 moon bears in Halong Bay has been boosted with 12 ambassadors signing a letter to the Vietnam’s Prime Minister urging action.

The move sees diplomatic pressure added to the people power which has seen nearly 100,000 people from around the world add their signature to a request asking that the bears be handed over to Animals Asia’s nearby bear rescue centre.

Headed, “URGENT” the letter requests a swift resolution to the crisis that has seen 26 of the protected bears die since Animals Asia first alerted the authorities in November last year. The letter was dispatched by diplomatic channels direct to the Prime Minister himself.

The letter states:

“Any subsequent delays could further endanger the lives of these very sick bears and would be inconsistent with Vietnam’s commitment to protecting vulnerable wildlife, including ending bear farming.”

Animals Asia’s Vietnam Director Tuan Bendixsen welcomed the response from the ambassadors saying:

“We’re delighted that the international diplomatic community has chosen to stand up on this issue. The protection of the world’s endangered species and at risk wildlife is a global issue that affects us all. The public, the media response and now the international community has made it abundantly clear that we need action now or more bears will die.”

Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE added:

“This is incredible news. This request has gone straight to the desk of the Prime Minister, and the stage is now set for him to step in and save these bears. There is no need for any more deaths through inaction.”

The letter was signed by the ambassadors of Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Italy, the United States of America, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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