A couple of moon bears rescued in Binh Duong

A household agreed to hand over the duo of bears to the rescue team, after which they would be transported to the Bear Rescue Center Vietnam.

According to information provided by the Binh Duong Forest Protection Subdepartment, the two bears were raised by the household for approximately 15 to 20 years, with registered chips affixed to a corrugated iron roof kitchen and barns separated by a wall.

The names Bonnie and Clyde were inspired by a 1967 crime film that won two prestigious Oscar Academy Awards. Bonnie is a female moon bear weighing approximately 150 kg, while Clyde is a male moon bear weighing approximately 120 kg.

In order to rescue these bears, veterinarians must anesthetize and conduct a clinical evaluation on the bears at the rescue site. Prior to anesthesia, owners received instructions to refrain from feeding their bears for 24 hours.

The experts used their preferred foods, such as honey, dense milk, sweet chocolates, and desiccated cereals, to calm and relax the bears. Veterinarians would calculate the bear's weight and evaluate its health to determine the appropriate anesthetic concentration.

Senior veterinarian Shaun Thomson of the Bear Rescue Center Vietnam shared the following information regarding the bears' health: „Bonnie was a good girl, thus it faces several health issues, the bear has abnormal signs in its gallbladder, and will likely still need to have the gallbladder removed, Bonnie's right hind leg is amputated, and the left hind foot is damaged, the teeth are very dirty.

Clyde has a broken fang, but because he is younger than Bonnie, his health is improved. Its foot and gallbladder were injured. Possibly as a result of extended periods spent lying on the cement floor, his stomach and chest were hairless. Hopefully, the bear's fur will regrow when it returns to the Bear Rescue Center Vietnam."

After the Binh Duong Forest Protection Subdepartment has completed the special transport procedures for the two bears, they will embark on a 1,700-kilometer road journey and are expected to arrive at the Bear Rescue Center Vietnam on August 1.

Dr. Tuan Bendixsen, the chief representative of the Animals Asia Foundation in Vietnam, reported that, due to effective advocacy and communication, the Animals Asia Foundation and the provincial forest protection department of Binh Duong have mobilized to save 48 bears. This is Animals Asia's fifth rescue mission of 2023, increasing the total number of bears rescued to 264.

According to the Binh Duong Forest Protection Subdepartment, there are currently 27 bears in captivity in the province, and the authorities continue to conduct campaigns and routine inspections of bear reproductive facilities.

Dr. Jill Robinson MBE has been the founder of the Animals Asia Foundation since 1998. Since 1998, Animals Asia, a charity dedicated to ending animal cruelty across the continent, has led the charge to outlaw bear bile cultivation. Their approach is laser-focused and motivated by the belief that inhumane behavior and practices can be altered through empathy. Animals Asia's efforts have borne fruit due to the accomplishment of a nearly three-decade-long initiative. The Vietnamese government has pledged to halt bear bile cultivation, enabling the rescue of all remaining bears and ensuring that none are left behind.

Animals Asia and the Vietnamese government signed a memorandum of understanding in 2017 committing to the cessation of all bear ranches in Vietnam. Animals Asia has pledged to provide sanctuary for the over 300 additional bears still kept on plantations in Vietnam with this monumental next chapter.

Although the Tam Dao bear rescue center is not officially accessible to the public, twice-monthly guided excursions are available for small, registered groups. Through public education, these excursions are intended to integrate local community members and students with the work of Animals Asia.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature classifies both the moon bear and the sun bear as vulnerable. Both species are found in Vietnam.