WE DID IT! THANKS TO YOUR HELP, WE'VE RESCUED 2 MOON BEARS CAGED AND MUTILATED FOR DECADES

CASE 1: This female moon bear in Vietnam was kept in a tiny cage hidden behind a house for the past 22 years. The owner has admitted to extracting bile from her twice a year. She is missing her front right paw, leaving a stump which looks awful after having stood on metal bars for decades. Lethargic & exhibiting stress-related behaviour including biting the metal bars, she desperately needed our help.
CASE 2: This male moon bear (same province, different location) was also kept hidden behind a house, but this time in an even smaller cage, for at least 18 years. The owner admitted to extracting bile from him. With loose skin, visible lumps, missing fur, broken claws, missing teeth & red eyes, we're incredibly concerned for his health & wellbeing. 

The bears have been taken to our Cat Tien Bear Rescue Centre & Bear Sanctuary. Follow this link to give you an idea of what their future may look like at the Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary. They will require extensive special care for the remainder of their lives.

WITH INCREASED RESCUES, WE'RE SUFFERING A SHORTFALL IN FUNDS AND DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP TO PROVIDE ONGOING CARE TO THESE TWO (& HUNDREDS OTHER) RESCUED BEARS.

PLEASE REGISTER AS A BEAR CARER OR MONTHLY DONOR.  IT'S VITAL WE BUILD OUR FAMILY OF BEAR CARERS. EVEN A FEW DOLLARS A MONTH COMMITMENT ADDS UP & REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU.

RESCUE UPDATE: THURSDAY MARCH 6th 

Success! After 22 years imprisoned & brutalised, our team in Vietnam has rescued this beautiful girl & transported her back to our Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary. She's not in good shape & will require a great deal of loving care & rehabilitation. Thank you to everyone who supported this rescue. Special thanks to Welttierschutzgesellschaft - WTG e.V. & the Bien Hoa Forest Protection Department in Dong Nai.

With increased rescues, we're experiencing a shortfall in funds & NEED YOUR HELP to look after this girl & hundreds of other rescued bears. Please register as a Bear Carer: https://freethebears.org/pages/bear-carer or monthly donor https://freethebears.org/products/donate. Even a few dollars a month commitment really does make a difference. Thank you. For a glimpse into her future at our Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH2SpYxOVoc

RESCUE UPDATE: THURSDAY FEBRUARY 27th 

Success! After 18 years being mutilated for bile extraction in a tiny cage, he's free. It wasn't easy extracting him from hell, he had to be anaesthetised, it took 8 people to carry him & the rescue truck broke down TWICE before the rescue team finally crossed the river into the Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary. Vietnam Rescue #51 is now in a safe place. Great work team! With a myriad of health issues, he'll require extensive vet care.

More good news...our rescue team was able to visit the female moon bear caged for 22 years. She's hanging on and, with your support, we may be able to rescue her next week. Thank you

RESCUE UPDATE: THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20th 

When it rains it pours! In the past 3 days we've rescued two moon bears cubs in Laos and a tiny sun bear cub in Cambodia. We've also rescued three orphaned leopard cat kittens in Laos. What a week (and it's not yet over)!

Regarding the moon bears in Vietnam, movement of wildlife in Vietnam is still prohibited due to COVID-19. However we have permission to visit the bears and provide them with care over the coming days. With all the incoming rescues, often requiring lifelong care, now more than ever we need to build our family of Bear Carers. As we struggle to get by each month, please consider becoming a Bear Carer - we have various levels, from just a few cents a day. https://freethebears.org/pages/bear-carer 

RESCUE UPDATE: SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15th 

Good news & bad news. The bad news is that due to COVID-19 the government in Vietnam has banned transport of wildlife which means the rescue of the male moon bear is on hold until the ban is lifted. We're trying to get access to provide them with some basic care.

BREAKING NEWS: We've heard of two moon bear cubs in Laos who need to be rescued. At this stage we don't have much information - just the pictures below and we've been told they are around one year old and about 40kg, a male and a female, possibly siblings. Our Laos rescue team is getting prepared - on Monday they'll drive for the entire day to reach these babies and hopefully rescue them and deliver them to a better life.

Double the rescues = double the resources required for rescue and care. Thanks for your support.

 

RESCUE UPDATE: FRIDAY FEBRUARY 14th (Happy Valentines Day!)

Thank you for the love being shown towards these moon bears. Rescues can be complex - government, police, rescue & vet teams (& disgruntled owners) are all involved. COVID-19 is also complicating the situation with areas of Vietnam now under quarantine.

The good news is we may be able to rescue the male bear next week, thanks to YOUR help. Our bear care team is deep cleaning transport crates, hammocks & the quarantine enclosure in preparation. Stay tuned for updates. Thank you and a big bear hug and love from Free the Bears this Valentines Day.