Opening an intensive care facility for rescued bears in Cambodia
Rescuing a bear is only the beginning.
Many of the rescued bears who arrive at our sanctuaries carry the physical impacts of what they have endured.
They suffer from arthritis and mobility problems after years caged without the space to properly move, climb or exercise. Poor diets of foods like rice and noodles can contribute to malnutrition and disease. Some arrive with cracked and damaged teeth from biting on cage bars or years of inappropriate food. Others are missing paws or limbs after being caught in snares.
Helping them recover, and caring for the health problems that can follow them long after rescue, is a commitment we make for their lifetime.
That's why we're so excited to open a new purpose-built Bear Intensive Care Unit (BICU) at our Cambodia Bear Sanctuary, helping our veterinary and animal care teams provide specialised care for rescued bears through illness, injury, rehabilitation and their senior years.
Specialised care facilities
The new BICU includes five indoor dens with adjoining outdoor areas, meaning bears with illness or injury don't have to spend their recovery indoors.
Trees, shade, accessible climbing structures and pools mean bears can continue exploring, foraging and spending time outside while staying close to the veterinary team. Each space can also be adapted to a bear's mobility and individual health needs.
The facility will also make administering intensive healthcare easier, with extensive biosecurity and isolation capacity, and specially designed indoor dens where bears can learn (with the encouragement of tasty treats) to voluntarily participate in procedures such as nail trims, blood collection, blood pressure checks and ultrasounds. This reduces the need for anaesthesia and gives the bears choice and agency as to whether they would like to participate in treatments.
Helping Aural enjoy his senior years
One of the BICU's first residents is Aural, a male sun bear rescued in 2003 after a severe snare injury resulted in the loss of his right front paw.
More than 20 years later, Aural is now one of our older bears and receives ongoing care for arthritis, eye and ear conditions.
Aural loves being outdoors – and isn't always particularly keen to come inside for his health checks, but his new home allows him to enjoy his outdoor space while remaining near the veterinary team. This makes it easier for the team to monitor his health and provide the additional care he needs as he gets older.
Female sun bear Alicia is also settling into the BICU. Alicia has ongoing weakness and tremors, so her environment has been designed with accessible pools and lower climbing structures that allow her to safely explore, climb, forage and play.
With more than 120 rescued bears in our care at Cambodia Bear Sanctuary, many of which have suffered significant trauma and illness prior to rescue, the new Bear Intensive Care Unit means we'll be even better equipped to give them the “beary best” care.
The BICU was completed with the generous support of The Marchig Animal Welfare Trust and Foundation Marchig, and Fondation Brigitte Bardot.
Their commitment will help us provide specialised, individual care for rescued bears in Cambodia for many years to come.
