Bears' Print November 2025

Message from Matt

Dear supporters and friends,

It feels hard to believe that another year is drawing to a close, seeming like only yesterday that we were welcoming our State Support Group coordinators to the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary and making plans for how we might celebrate our 30th anniversary in March! At risk of sounding like a broken record I am once again equal parts astounded and proud of how much our teams have achieved over these past 12 months with a further 15 bears rescued and brought into our sanctuaries for care, plus construction and development happening at a pace we’ve never seen to accommodate the record-breaking numbers of cubs rescued in 2024. As we speak our construction team are working to complete Bear House 12 at the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary, with Bear Houses 10 and 11 only completed a few months ago but already home to 23 moon bears who are gleefully relishing the opportunity to climb new trees and dig into insect-rich soils!

In Cambodia our Stage 2 Pre-release area recently welcomed its first resident – the adult female sun bear who came into our care after being discovered trapped in a poachers snare within a protected forest in Southwest Cambodia back in 2022. Despite losing her left forelimb to infection from that snare, she remains an active and adventurous bear who is enjoying the natural forest environment of her new home while simultaneously giving us the opportunity to observe how her old wounds affect her ability to adapt to a new life. It is a sad fact that camera-trap images taken in forests across the region are increasingly showing animals with historic snare injuries and so learning how these impact their chances for survival will be essential in determining how future such cases are managed and guide the decision-making process of selecting which animals require lifelong care versus those which have a chance to survive back in the wild.

The road towards seeing bears returned safely to the forests of Southeast Asia is undoubtedly a long one and will only be traversed by a small percentage of rescued bears – the sad fact is that for the majority of our rescues the damage already done means they will require lifelong care. This term “lifelong care” gets used a lot, sometimes almost casually, and yet it is worth considering what that actually means – with staff costs rising annually and each bear in our sanctuaries requiring more than 2,000kg of fresh fruits and vegetables each year its realistic to assume that each orphaned cub may cost upwards of $150,000USD to care for across its lifetime. Multiply that by more than 300 bears already in our sanctuaries today and sleepless nights are bound to follow! 

Thankfully after 30 years of growing our family around the world we continue to be astounded by the dedication of our supporters to come up with innovative ways to raise funds for the bears. We recently welcomed participants on our first ever yoga camps at one of our sanctuaries, with each “yogi” challenged to raise as much money as possible in advance of the trip. Mexican-themed party nights, car boot sales, exquisite jewelry craftings and donations in lieu of birthday presents were just some of the ways in which the team managed to raise almost £10,000 to help with construction of Bear House 12. This is just one example among many – getting around some of the states to meet with our support groups earlier this year really brought home the lengths our supporters will go to in order to raise the life-saving funds to support our work. 

Simply saying “thank you” never feels like enough, but thank you we do, from the bottom of our furry hearts.

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays and a bright New Year ahead,

Matt

CEO, Free the Bears

Update from Cambodia

In August we welcomed a new rescue into our care, rescue #224 – a young female moon bear who was brought safely to the sanctuary thanks to the swift efforts of the Forestry Administration. Around 18 months old at the time of her rescue, she arrived shy but alert and has since settled well into quarantine. She is already transitioning onto her new, varied diet and showing signs of a confident young bear adjusting to a better life. We hope to introduce her to a group of similarly aged moon bears in the coming months.

This future friendship group includes rescues #218, #219 and #220, who were first introduced in our November 2024 newsletter. Male #218, originally found caught in a snare by villagers, has grown in confidence and has now been adopted and named Wellington. Male #219 was named Bryan Mars, during the 30th Anniversary celebrations, while his sister #220 is still waiting to be adopted and named. All three are thriving together in Bear House 2, energetically exploring their surroundings, interacting with new enrichment and growing into inquisitive young bears.

You may remember Rescue #221, a rare golden moon bear featured in our May edition, and the cover star of this edition. She arrived overweight due to a poor diet but has made excellent progress on her carefully managed nutrition plan. In June, she was successfully introduced to three female moon bears and the group has formed a harmonious little family. She is still awaiting adoption.

One of the most exciting developments this year has been the completion of our new Pre-release Stage 2 facility – an isolated, semi-wild forest habitat designed to prepare suitable bears for a possible return to the wild. This work represents years of research and planning, all aimed at one day giving certain bears a chance to live freely again.

Rescue #216, a female sun bear, has now graduated from Stage 1 into this more advanced environment. Here, human presence is minimised, natural behaviours are encouraged, and movement can be monitored through cameras. To help her prepare for potential tracking in the wild, she is wearing a mock GPS collar, getting used to the feel before eventually receiving the real GPS device.

Already, she has been recorded building nests in trees to sleep in at night, foraging for termites and exploring the forest with increasing confidence.

Her progress is central to the research led by Research Programme Manager Dr Zachary David, whose work focuses on assess bears’ suitability for future release. While the journey from rescue to potential wilderness is a long and careful one, this programme is helping us better understand what a safe return to the wild could look like for bears in Cambodia.

Education and outreach remain a core pillar of our work. Our Awareness, Communication & Education (ACE) team has welcomed hundreds of students on Bear Care Tours and school visits, both local groups and international students from Australia, Europe, Singapore and Mauritius. These visits show young people conservation in action and inspire them to play a role in protecting wildlife.

We were thrilled to learn of a sun bear cub born in France to Sai, who left Cambodia in 2007 to join the European breeding program. Sai is one of only three breeding male sun bears in Europe, and this birth is an important contribution to the conservation of this vulnerable species.

At the Wildlife Hospital, routine health checks continue across our bear population. We were pleased to welcome Vet Ana back, and we extend congratulations to Srey Lin, who recently graduated from university and was promoted to Assistant Vet.

Finally, October saw the international premiere of Bear Guardians at the Explorers Club in New York. The short film shares the remarkable story of our vet Dr Sorphea and her father, expert cub-carer Mr Heng – a powerful celebration of their lifelong commitment to Cambodia’s bears. At the premiere, Dr Zachary David also presented on Free the Bears’ mission and on the in-situ and ex-situ research projects underway. The film is now available to stream on WaterBear and Documentary+, allowing viewers around the world to connect with the incredible work happening in Cambodia every day.

Update from Laos

It has been another busy year for the Laos programme, with rescues continuing at pace, major construction projects completed and underway to manage record new arrivals, and a range of visitors, researchers and government partners passing through our sanctuaries. As bear numbers continue to rise, now standing at 145 bears between Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Center and the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary, our teams worked tirelessly to integrate new arrivals into social groups, transfer bears into new forest habitats and maintain the highest standards of welfare across our sanctuaries.

Five new moon bears were rescued and brought into our care including a 4-year-old male voluntarily surrendered in Bokeo province in June, two male cubs confiscated in Oudomxay, and a male–female sibling pair seized in Xayaboury after more than a year in tiny cages. 

Additional rescues include a binturong voluntarily surrendered by its owner in Luang Prabang and a pig-tailed macaque transferred from our colleagues at Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife. All are now recovering in quarantine and receiving specialised care.

With over 140 bears and more than 50 other animals in our Laos sanctuaries, our Animal Care Teams were incredibly active. Several moon bear groups were introduced in quarantine, helping to build social bonds that will support long-term welfare. Among the primates, multiple Assamese, pig-tailed and rhesus macaques were successfully merged into established troops across LPWS, while major dietary improvements (developed with professional support) were implemented to promote healthier feeding regimes. Emergency recall training continued to advance across both sanctuaries, and welfare audits were completed at both sites.

Construction teams worked at remarkable speed to expand sanctuary capacity. Bear House 10 was completed in August and Bear House 11 in early October, allowing several large bear groups to move into more suitable facilities and freeing up older bear houses for renovation, and our younger groups to be moved out of Nursery facilities and into more spacious homes.

Bear House 10 was funded by an individual donor from the USA, and Bear House 11 was supported by international donors including the Gita Bellin Legacy Fund (Australia), Asia Wild (USA), Bears in Mind (Netherlands) and Sylvanus Charitable Trust (UK), reflecting the global level of support for our work in Laos. Work on Bear House 12 began in September and is underway, with dens and forest enclosures taking shape. A major upgrade of the electrical network across Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary is in progress to support future capacity.

With support from Welttierschutzgesellschaft, we also launched a new initiative: construction of the Savannakhet Wildlife Rescue Station was recently completed, enhancing our capacity for immediate intervention, improving animal welfare outcomes and strengthening cooperation with law enforcement in central and southern Laos.

Throughout this period we welcomed a range of visitors through our Awareness, Communications and Education (ACE) programme including GIVE volunteer groups, our first ever fundraising yoga camps, and animal care teams from local elephant sanctuaries for knowledge exchange.

Under our MOU with Chungbuk National University (CNU) in South Korea we hosted students carrying out conservation research studies on topics ranging from welfare to reproductive systems. 

We also welcomed the third cohort of veterinary students from the National University of Laos, to complete their wildlife medicine module developed in partnership between Free the Bears, Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife, and Elephant Conservation Centre. 

We continue to strengthen partnerships, raise awareness and ensure our work remains connected with the communities, officials and institutions shaping conservation in Laos.

The Laos programme enters 2026 with expanded capacity, stronger rescue infrastructure and renewed momentum toward ending bear bile farming in Laos. 

Our sincere thanks go to everyone who has supported us throughout this intense and transformative period. Your generosity enables every rescue, every release and every step forward for wildlife in Laos.

Update from Vietnam

Over the past six months, our team in Vietnam has continued working tirelessly to give the 44 rescued bears at Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary the very best life possible, while also pushing forward in our mission to end bear bile farming in Vietnam.

Preparations are underway for a stakeholder meeting that will bring together provincial authorities, NGOs and bear farm owners to discuss the results of recent interviews and farm inspections. We hope that by bringing these groups together at the sanctuary, where they can see the bears living in spacious, natural habitats, we can encourage future voluntary handovers.

While no new rescues have taken place in recent months, we have remained firmly committed to exceptional welfare for the 44 bears already in our care. Earlier this year, we were proud to reach an A+ rating in our bi-annual welfare audit – the highest possible score, and a reflection of the dedication and attention to detail shown by our animal care and veterinary teams. The team has kept up a strong routine of daily health monitoring, monthly weight checks and tailored enrichment, ensuring every bear continues to thrive. Remote cameras and close behavioural observations have helped us support individuals who need a little extra care, with positive results, including noticeable improvements in some of our more vulnerable bears.As part of our ongoing efforts to keep the bears physically and mentally stimulated, we have made a range of upgrades across several enclosures. New climbing platforms, elevated walkways and foraging posts have been added, encouraging the bears to explore, climb and search for treats as they would in the wild. Several bears were also moved between enclosures to provide new environments and enrichment opportunities, which has helped stimulate natural behaviours and curiosity.

One of the most heartwarming milestones of the year has been watching two male moon bears, Ron and Huong, form a gentle companionship after more than a decade of living alone prior to their rescue. Ron greeted Huong like an overexcited youngster, jumping around like a cub making his first friend. Huong, the more calm and dominant of the two, initially kept his distance.

Our dedicated keepers didn’t give up, with brief supervised meetings over time. Now their friendship has blossomed, enjoying their days peacefully exploring their forest enclosure side by side. Seeing them learn to trust each other has been a powerful reminder of the resilience of bears and the importance of patient, high-quality care.

This year we sadly farewelled Chance, a moon bear rescued from a bile farm in 2003. Chance was an elderly bear, and after more than two decades at Cat Tien National Park, her loss was deeply felt by our team. Her long life with us stands as a testament to what timely rescue can mean for a bear, once destined for continued suffering. Our talented veterinarian Dr Vi, alongside our regional veterinary team, continues to monitor the health of our older population closely, for the best possible care.

Education and outreach continue to be an important part of our work, with Bear Care Tours and school visits helping raise awareness of the threats to bears in Vietnam. Several large groups are already scheduled for the coming months – each one an important opportunity to inspire the next generation of wildlife protectors. By helping students understand the challenges faced by Vietnam’s wildlife, and by showing them firsthand what compassionate care looks like, we hope to nurture long-lasting respect for nature and to inspire future conservation leaders. We are also working closely with Cat Tien National Park on plans for a new visitor information point that will enhance the experience for future visitors of all ages and educate them on our mission.

Thank you for standing with us. Your support helps care for our bears and fuels our ongoing fight to create a future where no bear endures a life of exploitation

Ethical Christmas gift ideas

Looking for a gift for the animal lover in your life? This festive season, add something meaningful to the list with a gift for a bear.

Our ethical gifts help provide rescued bears with the care, enrichment and comfort they need to thrive. From pots of honey and playtime enrichment kits to hammocks that support rest and rehabilitation, every item goes directly to the bears living in our sanctuaries. You can top your gift off with a personalised bear-themed e-card, with a message from you and a video of bears enjoying gifts just like yours.

Whether you’re gifting to friends, family or colleagues, your present can make a real impact, helping give threatened bears the safe and happy future they deserve.

Browse our ethical gift range and give with purpose this Christmas.

Leaving a legacy

For decades, Free the Bears has been a beacon of hope for bears who would otherwise face a lifetime of suffering in bile farms or the illegal wildlife trade. Every year, more rescued bears arrive at our sanctuaries seeking safety, care and a second chance – and with that, the responsibility on our small organisation continues to grow.

At the heart of our work lies a simple belief: the compassion and actions of individuals can change the future for endangered bears. Many supporters choose to extend that compassion beyond their lifetime by leaving a gift in their will. These legacy gifts have played an essential role in our ability to rescue more bears, expand our sanctuaries, strengthen animal care teams, and provide the lifelong support each bear deserves.

Leaving a legacy is a meaningful way to make a lasting difference. After providing for your loved ones, you may wish to consider including Free the Bears as a beneficiary. If you already have a will, your solicitor can add a codicil to include your gift. No matter the size, every bequest offers hope to the bears in our care now, and to those we will rescue in the future

Types of Bequests:

• Cash or Pecuniary Bequest: a directive that Free the Bears receive a specific amount from your estate
• Specific Bequest: a directive in your will that specifies property, such as real estate, shares, art or jewellery etc to be transferred to Free the Bears from your estate
• Residuary Bequest: after providing for your loved ones, Free the Bears will receive a percentage of your estate (for example, 5%). Since a Residuary Bequest is not for a specific amount of money, this type of bequest keeps its value over the years

Writing or updating a will is a very personal decision, and we encourage you to seek advice from a qualified solicitor before drafting a new will or updating an existing one. While we cannot provide legal or financial guidance, we are always happy to discuss your wishes and intentions. Australian supporters can also create a simple will for free using Gathered Here, with no obligation to leave a gift: https://wills.gatheredhere.com.au/c/Free-the-Bears

For enquiries, please email contact@freethebears.org. Our details in Australia: Free the Bears Ltd, PO Box 1393, Osborne Park DC, Perth, Western Australia, 6916. Tel: +61 (08) 9244 1096. Charity number: A1004507U and for UK supporters, please use these details: Free the Bears UK, PO Box 6395, Basildon, Essex, SS14 ONY. Charity Number: 1135682. Thank you.

Ongoing projects

Thanks to the generous support of our donors and partners, we have been able to continue expanding our impact for rescued bears across Southeast Asia. We extend our sincere thanks to Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. (WTG), Jeffrey Bearns/Bremma LLC, Asia Wild, Bears in Mind, Gita Bellin Legacy Fund, Sylvanus Charitable Trust and the Ruth Smart Foundation, whose ongoing commitment has been instrumental in enabling our sanctuary development, research initiatives and long-term conservation.

Recent achievements

With bear numbers continuing to grow, this year we focused on expanding capacity and advancing long-term welfare outcomes. We completed 3 new facilities, undertook significant strategic planning for the future, and advanced vital scientific research, with our Research Programme Manager, Dr Zachary David, completing his PhD on bear metabolism. We have supported and been involved in 45% of all sun bear PhD studies completed or underway to date, contributing to improved understanding, care and protection of bears into the future.

Our supporters have been busy

When our founder Dr Mary Hutton OAM set out to help bears in need, she sparked a movement that has since changed the fate of more than 1,000 bears. She created our foundation, and it is the enduring kindness of supporters like you that keeps that work alive.

Together, you’ve helped transform lives: not only for the bears in our sanctuaries, but for the countless people who have been inspired, trained, and empowered through this mission. Your compassion sits at the heart of every rescue, recovery, and new beginning. Thank you for being part of this journey.