Conservation starts with people
Across Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, we work alongside local communities, government agencies, universities and conservation partners to protect bears and the forests they call home.
Together, we're strengthening wildlife protection, building conservation expertise and creating lasting change for both people and wildlife.
Inspiring the next generation of conservationists
Every year, thousands of young people visit our sanctuaries through our education programs, where they discover the stories of rescued bears and explore the importance of wildlife conservation through interactive activities and hands-on learning.
We work with schools, universities and youth organisations to help the next generation understand the important role wildlife plays in healthy ecosystems.
Whether they're meeting a rescued bear for the first time or learning about biodiversity in the classroom, these experiences help foster a lifelong connection with nature.
Free the Bears' one-to-one promise: Every paying international student visit covers the cost for a local child to join our Education Programme for a day.
Learning from the people who know it best
The people who live alongside wildlife understand these landscapes deeply. As part of our rewilding program, our team visits local villages to learn from their experience.
Together they map rivers, trails and culturally significant sites not captured on existing maps, discuss how the forest supports local livelihoods, and explore what would be needed for bears and people to safely coexist.
Our research team also regularly survey local communities to better understand topics like medicinal wildlife use, hunting and more.
This local insight is just as important as ecological research. It helps us understand how people use the landscape, identify opportunities and challenges, and ensure future conservation decisions are shaped by the people who know these forests best.
Strengthen wildlife protections
We work closely with government and law enforcement authorities across Southeast Asia to combat wildlife crime and improve outcomes for confiscated animals.
From supporting wildlife rescue operations and responding to confiscations, to sharing field intelligence and helping identify illegal wildlife trade activities, our teams work alongside authorities to ensure bears receive the protection they need.
We also deliver practical training for wildlife crime first responders, helping build skills in the safe handling, transport and emergency care of rescued wildlife. By strengthening local capacity, we're helping ensure that when wildlife needs help, trained professionals are ready to respond.
Building local capacity
Free the Bears invests in developing the next generation of wildlife professionals by providing training, mentoring and opportunities for conservationists across the region.
Over the years, we've supported ranger training, bear sign surveys, veterinary and animal care training, postgraduate conservation scholarships, university partnerships and community conservation initiatives.
Many of the people who began their careers with Free the Bears have gone on to become respected conservation leaders, veterinarians, researchers and sanctuary managers, creating lasting conservation impact far beyond our own organisation.
