It took a 900km round trip on treacherous Vietnamese roads to pick up two tiny cubs confiscated from traffickers - three years on, they’re both high climbers.

The pair were named after the weather that day and Misty and Rain were a sister double act with Misty eventually being renamed by a sponsor as Norah JamJack.

Now the pair are best known among their carers for just loving to climb and in the care of Animals Asia’s Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre they’re going from strength to strength. These shots were taken this spring as they tested their enclosure facilities to the limit. 

In 2013 their arrival meant the world to Animals Asia as they were the first bears to be welcomed since the future of the sanctuary was safeguarded following the threat of eviction in 2012. 

Animals Asia Vietnam Bear and Vet Team Director Annemarie Weegenaar said: 

“Their arrival meant business as usual and we knew we could get on with our work again without the fear that the future of all the bears we had rescued to date were in jeopardy.

“As with all cubs we welcome to the sanctuary, they have had to cope with losing their mother at a very young age but to see them today playing together so carefree is wonderful. They’ve made a home here in the national park in Tam Dao - just as we have. Every day they can be seen climbing like this.”

In Vietnam there are still over 1,200 bears caged by the bear bile industry. The bile is used in traditional medicine.

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