Rescued sun bears move into their new forest home, with House 12 now open!
Eight rescued sun bears have officially moved into their new home, with the opening of Bear House 12 at Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary in Laos.
Pandy, Fonty, Mary, Facebook, Noy, Chenrezig, Maicon and Tarny are the first residents of the new purpose-built facility, marking another important step in expanding the sanctuary to provide lifelong care for bears rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
As Free the Bears has expanded its rescue work further into the southern provinces of Laos, the number of rescued sun bears arriving at the sanctuary has steadily increased, with 11 sun bears now in care. Bear House 12 responds to this growing need with a facility designed specifically for the species.
Bear House 12 provides spacious indoor dens with multiple levels for climbing and sleeping up high, connected to tropical forest habitats where the bears can climb, forage, explore, rest and display the natural behaviours that were impossible in the cages many of them once endured.
This new bear house was made possible through the generous support of Colchester Zoological Society Action for the Wild, Mandai Nature, National Zoo & Aquarium Conservation Fund, and Lou's Yogi's. Their commitment is helping provide rescued sun bears with a safe, purpose-built home where they can recover and thrive.
A hub for bear research
Bear House 12 also includes a custom-built research den, designed to support non-invasive research in a low-stress environment.
Often referred to as the "forgotten bear species", sun bears remain one of the least studied bear species in the world. Their secretive nature makes them incredibly difficult to study in the wild, meaning sanctuary-based research plays a vital role in improving our understanding of the species and informing conservation efforts across their range.
Free the Bears has become a global leader in sun bear research, supporting 40% of all completed sun bear PhD research in the world to date and contributing to approximately 60% of studies currently underway. Through this research, we can help answer critical questions about sun bear behaviour, physiology, welfare and more.
Inspiring the next generation of conservationists
Bear House 12 was also the focus of the 2026 Colchester Zoological Society STEM Design Challenge, with 500 young people designing innovative ideas for the construction of the house. They were challenged to consider animal welfare, engineering, sustainability and conservation.
Many of the creative concepts submitted by students will help inspire future bear house designs as Free the Bears continues expanding sanctuary facilities for rescued bears.
Connecting young people with real conservation challenges not only helps improve the future of sanctuary design with fresh ideas, but also inspires the next generation of wildlife conservationists.
Sustainability was also built into the project itself. More than 500 recycled tyres were repurposed into the retaining walls, while a reconstructed wetland naturally filters grey water before it is returned to the environment. A living green roof also helps regulate temperatures, keeping the bear house cooler during Laos' hot summers.
From providing lifelong sanctuary care for rescued bears, to advancing global research and inspiring future conservationists, Bear House 12 will help create a brighter future for sun bears both in human care and in the wild.
