The rescued bears have been transported to Bach Ma National Park

On June 18th, Mr. Nguyen Vu Linh, Director of Bach Ma National Park, announced that the three rescued bears from Thai Nguyen and Hanoi had arrived safely at Vietnam Bear Rescue Center after their journey.

The bear rescued in Thai Nguyen is an Asian black bear (moon bear), more than 20 years old. It had been kept in captivity since 2004 and underwent microchip registration twice, in 2005 and 2019. Initial clinical examinations showed that the bear weighs approximately 170 kilograms and is in relatively stable health.

The bear has been named Ocean. After many years of living in captivity, Ocean now has the opportunity to begin a new chapter at Vietnam Bear Rescue Center while also representing another milestone in the effort to end bear bile farming.

Meanwhile, the two Asian black bears rescued in Hanoi have been named Rain, weighing approximately 130 kilograms, and River, weighing around 200 kilograms.

According to Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre, rescuing and transporting large bears during the peak summer heat requires strict technical measures and careful attention to animal welfare. To ensure the bears' well-being throughout the lengthy journey, Forest Protection Sub-Department No. 7 under the Hanoi Forest Protection Department worked closely with Bach Ma National Park and Animals Asia to develop a detailed reception and transportation plan.

In particular, the decision to transport River and Rain together with Ocean was carefully planned to ensure optimal care, health monitoring, and veterinary support for all three bears throughout the journey. The specialized transport vehicle was equipped with a misting system to maintain suitable temperatures inside the transport compartment. During the trip, the bears were given rest stops every two to three hours for health checks and to provide food and water when necessary.

At Vietnam Bear Rescue Center in Bach Ma National Park, each bear receives individualized care, including a naturalistic living environment, specialized nutrition, and professional veterinary treatment. Upon arrival, the bears will undergo a minimum 30-day quarantine period for health monitoring before gradually being introduced to the semi-natural habitat.

Dr. Jill Robinson MBE, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Animals Asia, shared that Rain, River, and Ocean are not only three newly rescued bears but also represent a significant milestone of 300 bears rescued by Animals Asia in Vietnam. This achievement is part of a journey in which we have been fortunate to work alongside government agencies, partners, and local communities over many years.

By N. MINH