Happy #moonbearmonday everyone!

Football fever may have subsided since last summer’s World Cup in Brazil, but it seems somebody forgot to tell the bears at our Vietnam sanctuary.

Thanks to a group of student volunteers, visiting us from ISHCMC, The International School Ho Chi Minh City - American Adademy, the moon and sun bears at our Tam Dao sanctuary enjoyed finding tasty treats inside papier mache balls. ISHCMC fundraise for the bears on an ongoing basis and recently came to volunteer their services over a three-day visit.

The bears appeared keen to impress any visiting scouts but the jury is still out on whether they have a future in the game.

The bears try to prove that four feet are better than two, with many showing remarkably good close control for such large animals

It’s never easy to get the ball over the wall at a free kick but this sun bear has found a novel new technique

As to be expected from physical players, headers were popular

This bear is less Messi, more… you get it

The handball rule caused much head scratching...

... as did the bears’ fondness for illegally biting the balls

For all the fun the balls gave the bears, there is not likely to be a sanctuary all-star 11 any time soon. One observer suggested the bears might be more interested in rugby!

Animals Asia founder and CEO, Jill Robinson said:

“The bears really love these papier mache balls with treats inside. We make them for the bears at Christmas, but they are far too time-consuming to be made regularly. Luckily, last month we had a visit from a group of student volunteers who did all the hard work to give the bears something special.”

Have a great #moonbearmonday everyone!