Animals Asia

Protecting Moon Bears and Ending Bear Bile Farming in Vietnam

Protecting Moon Bears and Ending Bear Bile Farming in Vietnam

Bear bile farming is the horrific practice of extracting bile from the gallbladders of live bears. It is one of the worst forms of animal abuse on earth. The Asiatic Black Bear – or moon bear – is the bile trade’s main victim and, in recent decades, the industry has pushed this species to the ...

GOAL

$20,000

International
12/01/2023 > 30/11/2024

Field of Interest

  • Environment conservation and climate change
  • International aid and development

Target Population

  • Flora / fauna
  • General population
Animals Asia Animals Asia

Animals Asia is devoted to ending bear bile farming and improving the welfare of animals across Asia. We promote compassion and respect for all animals and work to bring about long-term change.

Founded in 1998, Animals Asia operates award winning bear rescue sanctuaries in China and Vietnam and has rescued 687 bears to date. Our founder and CEO, Dr. Jill Robinson MBE, is widely recognised as the world’s leading authority on the bear bile industry, having campaigned against it since 1993.

Today, our work focuses on three major programs:
- Ending Bear Bile Farming
- Cat and Dog Welfare
- Captive Animal Welfare

Project Summary

Bear bile farming is the horrific practice of extracting bile from the gallbladders of live bears. It is one of the worst forms of animal abuse on earth. The Asiatic Black Bear – or moon bear – is the bile trade’s main victim and, in recent decades, the industry has pushed this species to the brink of extinction in Vietnam.

Over the last 25 years, Animals Asia has built up extensive expertise on the plight of the endangered moon bear in Asia – making us leaders in rescuing and rehabilitating bears. To date, we have rescued 687 bears across China and Vietnam.

We are now right on the cusp of ending bear bile farming forever in Vietnam. In 2017, we signed a historic agreement with the Vietnamese Government to end bear bile farming and rescue the country’s remaining bears by 2026. Our new sanctuary in Bach Ma National Park is critical to this mission, as it will provide a home for the remaining 300 bears still caged as part of this industry. We have just completed the first phase of construction and have started rescuing the first bears to our brand new sanctuary.

Your support would contribute towards the costs of rehabilitating and caring for bears at our new Bach Ma Bear Rescue Centre, including the costs of food, enrichment and veterinary care. Together, we can protect the moon bear species and give rescued bears a second chance at life, free from fear and suffering.

This below short video of rescued moon bear, Armstrong, setting foot outside for the first time shows what a transformational difference your support could make. Armstrong is the first bear to step outside at our Bach Ma sanctuary, and will be the first of many that we rescue in the coming months and years, until no bear is left behind.

Project Outcomes

'- 60 bears are rescued to Bach Ma Bear Rescue Centre over the next year
- All rescued bears receive health checks from our expert veterinary team
- All rescued bears receive a nutritious food plan, tailored to their individual needs
- All rescued bears are provided with enrichment opportunities (e.g. toys, structures, food for foraging), encouraging them to display their natural behaviours and improving their welfare and wellbeing
- All rescued bears are integrated with other bears, if and when appropriate, so that they can enjoy companionship and friendship for the first time.

The direct impact of this project on the rescued bears cannot be overstated. Most have been kept in tiny cages for decades, forced to undergo daily painful bile extraction procedures, without sufficient food, water or veterinary care. Rescuing them is only the first step, but with the support of our expert team, broken bears can recover from the physical and psychological wounds inflicted by the bile industry. Our team uses an innovative, blended approach to the rehabilitation of bears, combining behavioural expertise and veterinary medicine to build up the bears’ trust, confidence and strength, so that they can gradually be integrated into their forever homes. For many, this will be the first time they have ever experienced the companionship of other bears, set foot on grass, or felt the sun on their backs. The difference is life-changing and every bear will receive the very best care, every day for the rest of their lives.

Budget Breakdown

TOTAL BUDGET: $489,329
FUNDING
Funding source Amount
Anonymous trusts, foundations and donors (confirmed) $210,622
Anonymous trusts, foundations and donors (unconfirmed) $258,707
Funding gap (unconfirmed) $20,000
EXPENSES
Expense item Amount
Bear food and enrichment $101,039
Bear medical costs $48,052
Staff costs (bear carers, veterinarians, sanctuary manager, nutrition team) $258,683
Support costs $81,555

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Level 6, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002

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