Successful rescue of two more moon bears

Through propaganda efforts, particularly the regular mobilization by the Hanoi Forest Protection Department and Forest Protection Unit No. 5, along with the consensus of family members, the two households voluntarily handed over the two moon bears to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center.

Accordingly, Forest Protection Unit No. 5 and the Hanoi Forest Protection Department supported all handover procedures and closely coordinated with the Animal Asia Organization in the bear rescue operation, completing the legal procedures to transfer the bears to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center, which is newly operated at Bach Ma National Park in Thua Thien - Hue province.

The two moon bears, a male named Rain and a female named Sun, both of legal origin, were voluntarily handed over by their longtime owners in Phung Thuong for humanitarian reasons. The bears were lured into the transport cages with their favourite foods such as condensed milk, honey, and jam. To ensure safety during the journey to the centre in hot weather, the caretakers checked and provided water, banana leaves, and food every 2 to 3 hours to maintain the bears' health during the nearly 800 km road trip.

The Hanoi Forest Protection Department and the Animal Asia Organization regularly coordinate closely in managing bear captivity, aiming to eliminate all captive bears in the area and raise community awareness about bear protection and conservation, combined with community outreach programs.

Since the beginning of the year, the Hanoi Forest Protection Department has handed over 7 bears to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center. Since 2019, the Asian Animal Organization has rescued a total of 41 bears from Hanoi. According to the Hanoi Forest Protection Department, Phung Thuong commune still has fewer than 90 bears kept in households.

Founded by Dr Jill Robinson MBE, the Animal Asia Organization has rescued and cared for 279 moon bears and sun bears in Vietnam. The two moon bears from Phung Thuong, Hanoi, have been transferred to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center at Bach Ma National Park in Thua Thien Hue province.

The Vietnam Bear Rescue Center II has completed the first phase of construction and is operating with facilities including a veterinary hospital, a temporary quarantine area, and two double bear houses with four semi-wild enclosures. Currently, the centre is caring for 9 moon bears in a semi-wild model, 7 of which were handed over by the Hanoi Forest Protection Department.