We know moon bears are incredibly intelligent animals, but Amara’s ability to work out this contraption took our breath away.

Animals Asia is constantly dreaming up new ways to ensure hundreds of bears keep having the time of their lives.  

The animal welfare NGO has rescued almost 600 bears – the vast majority from the bear bile industry.  It continues to care for nearly 400 at sanctuaries in China and Vietnam.

Most of the bears spent years or decades of their lives trapped by tiny cages facing regular bile extraction. These animals are both intelligent and fun-loving, meaning the torment they faced must have been insufferable without any mental stimulation or the chance to show natural behaviours.

Once rescued, their new lives begin and it’s clear what their favourite pastime is: working out how to get even more delicious food into their beautiful bear bellies.

At Animals Asia’s Vietnam sanctuary, the “Carrotimator” has become a big favourite. It effectively provides a similar challenge that natural foraging would for the bears — keeping them thinking, occupied and happy.

And one of the quickest bears to work out the rewards on offer was Amara.

Animals Asia Bear Manager Kelly Donithan said:

“Amara is a really clever bear who has been spending a lot of time working out the new enrichment items we have made recently. All the bears have been amazed by these structures and it is beautiful to see them play with them. It keeps them stimulated, which is a major part of keeping over a hundred bears happy every single day of their lives.”

Amara was rescued from a bear bile farm in Vietnam’s southern Binh Duong province in 2011. Both her forepaws were scarred — most likely from being caught in a hunters snare indicating she was trapped in the wild. She was lucky not to lose her paws — limbs she is now putting to good use.

Heidi Quine, Animals Asia’s Bear and Vet Team Director said:

“Amara has gone from strength to strength since moving to the sanctuary five years ago. When she first arrived she was showing stereotypic behaviour — repetitive actions which are a sure sign of stress and mental trauma. But she’s come such a long way now that she has space to forage and explore, friends to interact with and novel contraptions like this one to keep her mentally on her toes.”

Happy #MoonBearMonday everyone!

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