Another Asian black bear rescued

On September 16th, 2021, Animals Asia received a transfer from the Investigation Police Agency of Dien Bien province and successfully rescued an individual bear cub. This bear was previously confiscated from a smuggler on September 12th thanks to collaboration between Dien Bien Investigation Police Agency (Dien Bien Provincial Police) and Dien Bien District Police.

The young Asian black bear, nearly 30 kg in weight, serves as proof that a suspect in Dien Bien district was conducting illegal transportation for consumption. Animals Asia had sent instructions on nursing the cub to Dien Bien police officers before arriving for the rescue.

This marks the fourth rescue of Animals Asia this year, bringing nine more bears to the semi-wild areas of the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center (five from Hanoi, three from Lang Son, and one from Dien Bien).

From 2007 until now, Animals Asia has rescued twelve bears from Dien Bien province, including ten Asian black bears and two sun bears, most of whom were rescued while still a cub.

After the rescue, the bear will spend 30 days in quarantine, receiving health checks and treatment for diseases and injuries before being grouped and integrated into semi-natural areas. The center currently has 189 bears being cared for in the best medical conditions, enjoying life as a real bear should.

Animals Asia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (MARD) towards ending 100% of the remaining bear farms in the country and bringing all bears to the rescue facilities.

The latest statistics show that the whole country has about 400 bears kept on farms, while the number of bears in the wild is only a few hundred. At the end of 2005, the Government of Vietnam conducted profiling of bears across the country in order to manage the number of bears in captivity and stop the act of hunting bears in the wild for rearing.

The majority of Asian black bears kept on farms are for commercial purposes, and perhaps the only moment these individuals are allowed to come out of the four surrounding iron cages is when they are anaesthetized to have their bile extracted. Some bears are kept in captivity for ornamental purposes or to perform in parks or circuses.