VIETNAM - May 20, 2020 –Two Asiatic Black Bears were successfully rescued from a farm when the owner could no longer care for them. Following strict safety precautions due to the coronavirus pandemic, the organization was able to transfer two black bears to our BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh in Northern Vietnam.

Jasmine and Daisy [translated from Vietnamese names, Cuc and Nhai] are approximately 18 years old and were kept in a private backyard their whole life. In Vietnam, bears in captivity are still illegally abused for their bile, which is used as a remedy in traditional medicine. Demand for bear bile for healing purposes is reportedly declining yet, up to 400 bears are still living in cruel conditions on bear farms or under private ownership in Vietnam.

Coronavirus- related lockdowns and border closures have hindered FOUR PAWS’ rescue efforts all over the globe. However, a local FOUR PAWS team made the 40-mile journey from the bear sanctuary in Ninh Binh to nearby Ha Nam province, where the bears were kept in separate cages in a private backyard. Their former owner got the Asiatic black bears as cubs in 2002. FOUR PAWS was asked by the authorities to take over the bears after their owner gave them up voluntarily.

The experienced team at BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh will now provide Cuc and Nhai with all the care they need in order to adjust to the species-appropriate surroundings and regain their natural instincts.

The sanctuary was recently reopened for small groups of visitors and guided tours. Temperature checks and wearing masks are compulsory before entering.

FOUR PAWS is working with local partners to free as many bears as possible. With BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh, FOUR PAWS is helping the Vietnamese government to close bear farms and end the cruel practice of bile extraction once and for all. Currently the sanctuary is undergoing building work to expand and once this is all completed, up to 100 rescued bears will be able to find a new home on ten hectares of land. Visitors can see how the 29 bears that have been rescued so far are living species-appropriate lives in spacious open-air enclosures with ponds, trees, climbing and hiding places. BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh is not only a safe home for former bile bears, it is also an awareness and education center for wildlife conservation in Vietnam.