After 20 years in a tiny cage - bear rescued in Vietnam
Press release
After twenty years in captivity, a dedicated team of wildlife experts and local authorities have helped rescue an adult female bear called Na, from extremely poor conditions in Ho Chi Minh city province in Vietnam the week.
World Animal Protection, Vietnam’s Forest Protection Department (FPD) and FOUR PAWS came together to rescue Na (whose name means custard apple) from her tiny, 1.5m squared cage, with very little natural light and barely enough room to move and express her natural behaviours.
As part of an extensive monitoring programme to inspect bear bile farms, World Animal Protection together with the FPD have been integral in making headway in ending illegal bear bile farming in Vietnam. The programme also provides an opportunity to convince bear owners to voluntarily surrender these majestic animals to sanctuaries for a better life.
World Animal Protection, and the FPD, have been monitoring this farm since 2019 and finally managed to persuade the farmer to surrender the bear to the sanctuary where she can receive extensive care and live the rest of her life in a semi wild area. In this case, Na is the last survivor on the farm after five other bears died before they could be rescued.
FOUR PAWS have successfully transferred Na to their bear sanctuary in Ninh Binh, where she will receive veterinary care, have space to roam, and be close to nature with 45 other Asiatic black bears.
Na was rescued in extremely poor health. In the wild, she had already lost her right paw in a trap as a cub. She also has suspected glaucoma in her left eye, broken and infected teeth, loss of fur from rubbing her head against the bars, chronic pain due to degenerative bone disease, as well as heart disease.
The FOUR PAWS bear sanctuary stands as a beacon of hope for bears like Na. It offers rescued bears the highest quality of life with a team of dedicated professionals committed to their well-being.
Phuong Le Duy from World Animal Protection said:
We are delighted that Na will be given a chance to live a life free from cruelty. She was kept in cruel conditions for over 20 years, unable to see light, fresh air or simply roam around in the wild where she belongs.
We will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to support the release of more bears and give them a better life.
Barbara van Genne, Director of the Wild Animals department at FOUR PAWS said:
Our team has been working tirelessly during the last months to make the rescue of Na happen, and we are glad that she is finally in our care. She was calm during the transfer and is doing well. She suffers from multiple severe health issues commonly seen in bile bears, such as chronic osteoarthritis, dental, liver and heart disease. Moreover, Na will have to have surgery for suspected glaucoma in one of her eyes.
Our experienced team at BEAR SANCTUARY Ninh Binh will now provide her with all the care she needs. Na’s story is a reminder that bears are still suffering on bear farms in Vietnam. Help often comes too late as many die alone and in pain.
The Vietnamese authorities must swiftly close all remaining bear farms to give as many bears as possible a second chance at a better life.
ENDS
About World Animal Protection
World Animal Protection is the global voice for animal welfare, with more than 70 years’ experience campaigning for a world where animals live free from cruelty and suffering.
We have offices in 12 countries and work across 47 countries. We collaborate with local communities, the private sector, civil society, and governments to change animals’ lives for the better. Our goal is to change the way the world works to end animal cruelty and suffering for both wild and farmed animals. Through our global food system strategy, we will end factory farming and create a humane and sustainable food system, that puts animals first. By transforming the broken systems that fuel exploitation and commodification, we will give wild animals the right to a wild life. Our work to protect animals will play a vital role in solving the climate emergency, the public health crisis, and the devastation of natural habitats.
About FOUR PAWS
FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded by Heli Dungler and friends in Vienna in 1988, the organisation focuses on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With sustainable campaigns and projects, such as its own sanctuaries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term protection for suffering animals.
