Meet the bear carers
Behind every rescued bear is a team of dedicated people working tirelessly behind the scenes to give them the care they deserve.
Across our sanctuaries in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, Free the Bears carers start early, preparing food, cleaning enclosures, creating enrichment, monitoring behaviour, administering medication, and helping traumatised bears slowly learn to trust again.
Many of our bears arrive physically and psychologically scarred from years in bile farms, the illegal wildlife trade, or life as pets. Rehabilitation takes patience, skill, and compassion, and it’s our bear carers who make that healing possible.
Meet some of the incredible people helping change the lives of rescued bears across Southeast Asia:
Thip – Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary, Laos
Thip joined Free the Bears in 2015 and cares for 15 bears at our Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary. Known for her proactive attitude and calm dedication, she plays an important role in bear introductions and enrichment programmes, helping bears build confidence and natural behaviours in their forest habitats. She is constantly creating new enrichment ideas for her bears and sharing their progress with our global supporters through videos and updates.
Tien – Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary, Vietnam
One of the youngest members of the Vietnam team, Tien joined Free the Bears in 2023 and has already shown exceptional promise. He works closely with individual bears to understand their personalities and needs, helping develop tailored care plans for each animal. Tien has participated in collaborative veterinary care training, including helping trim the nails of two sun bears without anaesthesia, reducing stress for the animals. He also helped improve the skin condition of rescued moon bear Hope, and has shown remarkable observational skills.
Phuong Peap – Cambodia Bear Sanctuary
Phuong Peap has been part of the Free the Bears family since 2012 and has cared for many bears from the moment they first left quarantine as young cubs. Recently, he was recognised for the extraordinary care he gave to elderly moon bear Ralph during the final stage of his life. Phuong Peap came in early to prepare special meals, carefully managed medication schedules, and coordinated extra overnight care to ensure Ralph remained comfortable around the clock. Even while managing this intensive care, he maintained exceptional standards for every other bear in his care.
Koung – Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary, Laos
Koung’s work extends beyond bears. Alongside caring for wildlife at our Laos sanctuary, she has played a vital role in raising four rescued jackal pups. She carefully follows intensive care protocols, provides weekly monitoring updates, and has also been training new staff members and caring for rescued gibbons. Her dedication reflects the diverse conservation work happening across our sanctuaries every day.
Chanthol – Cambodia Bear Sanctuary
Chanthol is recognised for his professionalism, reliability, and the high standards he sets for bear care. From mentoring trainee keepers to carefully following welfare monitoring systems and identifying maintenance concerns before they become problems, Chanthol plays a vital role in keeping both bears and facilities thriving. His consistency and attention to detail ensure rescued bears receive the highest standard of daily care.
Hai – Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary, Vietnam
Hai has only been with Free the Bears for five months, but he has already become an incredibly promising young keeper. A quick learner with a humble attitude, Hai now works independently and has developed a strong understanding of bear behaviour and welfare. He carefully monitors the bears, reports health or behavioural concerns quickly, and ensures every bear receives enrichment each day. His patience and attentiveness have been especially important for Mai, a young energetic bear who thrives on complex enrichment activities.
Vong Kham – Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, Laos
Vong Kham has worked with Free the Bears for just a year and a half, but his initiative and problem-solving have already made a major impact on bear welfare. After noticing social tension between bears in one enclosure, he began spending extra time each morning creating large leaf piles and hiding food throughout the habitat to encourage natural foraging behaviour. The result was remarkable, with bears getting along much better. His thoughtful observations and willingness to speak up during keeper meetings have made him an invaluable member of the team.
Bou Roeun – Cambodia Bear Sanctuary
Bou Roeun is known for his professionalism and meticulous attention to biosecurity and husbandry standards. He has helped mentor newer staff members, improved enrichment areas for the bears, and shown significant progress in collaborative veterinary care training. He now assists veterinary teams in treating bears with ongoing medical conditions in ways that minimise stress and improve welfare outcomes.
Thanh – Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary, Vietnam
Thanh has been part of the Free the Bears team since 2018 and has built a deep understanding of the individual personalities and needs of the bears in his care. He works closely with 16 female moon bears in House 1, as well as six sun bears in House 2, and has successfully trained three female moon bears through positive reinforcement techniques that support their ongoing veterinary care and welfare. Thanh has also played an important role in implementing updated care protocols for bears in dormancy, ensuring they continue to receive careful monitoring and support. Known for his strong work ethic and team spirit, he is always willing to assist fellow keepers with maintenance and daily tasks, and regularly shares his knowledge and passion for bear care with visitors during Bear Care Tours.
Behind every rescued bear is someone quietly dedicating their days to cleaning, feeding, observing, enriching, treating, and caring for animals that have endured unimaginable trauma.
Their work can be physically demanding and emotionally difficult, but thanks to their compassion, patience, and expertise, hundreds of rescued bears across Southeast Asia are getting a second chance at life.