On World Wildlife Day (3rd March), Free the Bears set out to rescue a little moon bear cub.
The cub had been seen for sale on social media. He was chained to a pole by the neck.
And Free The Bears managed to rescue him – he was terrified. They transferred him to their Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary and the cub nursery there.
Since his arrival, he’s gained weight and confidence. Not only that, he has a new name – Rupert!
So here he is..... Enjoy!
Free the Bears have also been involved in another rescue - and we wait to see what happens to this poor little bear who is in a pitiful state in Vietnam.
The male bear has been caged for 20 years - he did have a female moon bear friend, but she sadly died. The male bear is very sick, he isn't eating and things don't look good for him. Free the Bears set out today, 17 March, on the 10 hour journey to see what they can do to help him. They will try to bring him to sanctuary to treat him or, at least, reduce his suffering.
Free the Bears say that non-profit WildAct Vietnam helped fund this rescue from proceeds of the amazing storybook 'Saving Sorya: Chang & the Sun Bear' which was inspired by a stint of volunteering at Free the Bears Cambodia.
Good luck to this moon bear and thank you to everyone at Free the Bears.
Four Paws have rescued two bears kept in absolutely appalling conditions. Xuan and Mo are safe in the bear sanctuary Ninh Binh, after a 10 hour drive. They were rescued on 23rd March 2021.
In short, the Four Paws team say they have never seen more cruel bear keeping conditions.
Bears Xuan and Mo have been kept in the basement of a shop since they were cubs.
And get this – there were no windows. So the bears were in darkness. There was no light. There was no fresh air. They just have the rusty bars of their tiny cages.
Xuan and Mo saw light, occasionally, when their owner came to feed them. And also when the owner came to puncture their gallbladder with a needle. This is painful. Bile is extracted from the bears and the bile is used for medicinal purposes by the owner’s family.
The bears wanted out. And Four Paws wanted to get them out. When the team arrived, they say the bears were quite calm. It was as if they knew they were off to a better life.
Please donate to help Xuan and Mo as they start a new life at the bear sanctuary
So Four Paws visited the owner to see if they could rescue the bears.
The room the bears are in had to be lit up with flashlights to see the cages and the animals. The air stank of faeces.
The two bears have come to Four Paws’ bear sanctuary Ninh Binh. There they will have the life they deserve. They will get the veterinary care they both need; they will be able to enjoy access to a big outdoor enclosure; and they'll have bedding material, showers and enrichment. In short, they will have a new life.
For the first three weeks, they will be in quarantine to ensure no possible disease could transfer to the other bears there. They will have medical care, be introduced carefully to a healthier diet and have a chance to get to know the people looking after them.
A huge well done and thank you to everyone involved.
Good luck, Xuan and Mo! Be involved in their future!
Our thoughts are with you both and the team looking after you.
You can still help Xuan and Mo today and other bears like them by making a donation. They are counting on us all to help them. Four Paws says that:
£10 could feed a rescued bear like Mo and Xuan for a day. £25 could help to provide enrichment for an ex-bile bear. £50 could contribute towards a veterinary check and treatment for bears suffering from gallbladder or kidney disease. £90 could help to cover pain relief medication for bears rescued from a lifelong time of confinement. £150 could help FOUR PAWS to continue to research, reveal and rescue more suffering animals in need and bring them to our sanctuaries where they will be cared for and loved.
I’ve had a newsletter from Animals Asia that really moved my heart.
Central to the news was Arthur.
Arthur is an elderly bear, and all he knew for a decade was pain and suffering. He has osteoarthritis and restricted mobility after years of being trapped in a tiny cage. And as the newsletter said, “He never felt soft grass under his paws. He never enjoyed the crunch of a tasty apple, or felt the warmth of a cuddle with another bear.”
Animals Asia point out that older bears have all sorts of mobility issues because they’ve been in a tiny cage all their lives. They are all old before their time. Their bodies may be twisted and deformed. Some can hardly walk or stand.
When Arthur stood up before he was rescued, the bars of his cage bit into his paws. If he lay down the bars dug into his emaciated body. And when he did have release from his cage – drugged – he was tied down with ropes, a needle jabbed into his belly until it hit his gall bladder, and his bile would be drained via a mechanical pump.
Thankfully, Arthur was rescued from this hell. He could hardly walk. But he arrived at the sanctuary and his life changed.
Arthur was given the bear necessities of life
Arthur had a soft, warm bed.
He discovered he loved food, especially apple, honey and dried fruits.
And he could join a loving bear family and have friends.
But work needed to be done to help Arthur further. He could hardly stand when he arrived. If he did try to stand up, his legs would buckle under him. And he’s been having physiotherapy!
Every week, Arthur spends some time in a specially designed den, full of toys. These encourage him to move, to s t r e t c h – and to build up his strength. His carers spoil him and encourage him and reward him with delicious treats. The treats are hidden all about the physio den.
Six weeks after the physio started, Arthur could walk and stand on his back legs more easily. He was able to stand for longer, reach higher up – and he became bolder, braver and more curious.
Arthur chooses the exercises he wants to do and he does them at his own pace, in his own time.
What’s more, he began playing and foraging.
He even started climbing in the enclosure – and he couldn’t have done that before his physiotherapy started.
Instead of taking small steps in a shuffling sort of way, Arthur walks out more easily. He reaches and climbs for food, instead of looking for it on the ground. He hunts around for snacks all over the enclosure. He heads up the outdoor climbing frames and plays with the other bears. He is clearly in less pain and a he’s a happier bear!
So climbing frames and toys really help. Puzzle toys mean that an arthritic bear rolls them on the ground until a treat comes out of them. And beds that older bears can get into more easily, beds which are big enough for them to share with a friend, are critical. They love cuddles!
How to help bears like Arthur
We can all help by donating to fill these bears’ lives and final years with comfort and joy.
Donations can help provide these physiotherapy sessions and pain relief. Climbing frames, toys and comfy beds are just the thing elderly bears need. Fill their old age with love, fun and comfort.
