Young sun bear rescued just in time

Right before the year was out, we were able to rescue a young male sun bear from life behind bars. He is the 16th bear rescued this year.

This young bear, believed to be around 2.5 years old, spent around two years living in a small cage outside of Vientiane. He was likely taken from the wild as a cub by a wildlife trader, after his mother was killed, and then sold into the illegal pet trade.

Thanks to the support of our community and government partners, our Laos rescue team was able to leap into action and bring him home to the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Watch Head Bear Carer Jorm and the Laos Rescue Team complete the rescue mission

Despite the long, mountainous journey, we are happy to report this young sun bear arrived safely and in good condition. He even seemed to enjoy the feeling of the wind on his face during the drive, which was an emotional sight after his life in a cage.

He is now settling into quarantine with multiple leafy dens, and after quarantine, he’ll get a large natural enclosure with plenty of space to run, play, climb, forage, and express his natural bear behaviours, as well as fellow bears to learn from and socialise with.

This little bear is the 168th bear rescued in Laos and the 16th bear we have rescued in 2025 alone.

While bringing him to sanctuary before the year’s end was an incredible way to close out a very big year for Free the Bears, the work to give him the life he deserves is just beginning.

Because of his time in the illegal wildlife trade this young bear will require lifelong care — a commitment that means decades of expert veterinary treatment, specialised nutrition, dedicated staff, and a safe place to live.

Each new arrival in our sanctuaries means an additional 2,000kg of fresh fruits and vegetables each year. Along with staffing, space and more, it's realistic to assume that each orphaned cub may cost upwards of $150,000USD to care for across its lifetime.

With more than 300 bears already in our care, we are in urgent need of donations to give this little bear the life he deserves long-term. Funds raised will go directly to his rescue and care.

Please donate to help if you can.