Asian Black Bear Rescued from Hanoi Finds New Home in Hue Sanctuary

A female Asian black bear, previously kept by a private owner in Phuc Tho commune, Hanoi, has been successfully rescued and transferred to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center in Hue. The rescue was a collaborative effort between the Hanoi Forest Ranger Department, Animals Asia, Bach Ma National Park, and local authorities. This operation marks a significant achievement in the long-term, persistent advocacy and dialogue between forest rangers, local authorities, and Animals Asia, aiming to gradually end the practice of bear farming for bile extraction in areas where it is still prevalent. The rescued bear, nearly 20 years old, has been named Odyssey, a name symbolizing her challenging journey back to a safe and more liberated life at the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center. The rescue involved sedating the bear and placing her in a specialized transport cage to ensure safety and minimize stress during the journey from Hanoi to Hue. Initial assessments indicate Odyssey is underweight, weighing approximately 80-90 kg, and requires comprehensive veterinary care. Upon arrival at the center, she will undergo a thorough health examination and necessary treatment, followed by a minimum 30-day quarantine period before gradually integrating into a semi-natural habitat. The successful rescue demonstrates the effectiveness of patience, dialogue, and cooperation among bear owners, local authorities, forest rangers, and Animals Asia, paving the way for a safer future for individual bears. With this latest rescue, the Hanoi Forest Ranger Department has coordinated the transfer of 11 bears out of a total of 30 bears rescued to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center in Bach Ma National Park. Hanoi remains the province with the highest number of captive bears nationwide, yet it has also achieved notable success in bear transfer initiatives. Over the past seven years, the Hanoi Forest Ranger Department, in collaboration with Animals Asia, has successfully transferred 42 bears from private owners in the city to two Vietnam Bear Rescue Centers. This figure specifically accounts for bears transferred from private households. Animals Asia began its bear rescue operations in Vietnam in 2007, relocating rescued bears to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center in Tam Dao National Park, Phu Tho province. To date, the organization has rescued a total of 301 bears (including sun bears and Asiatic black bears), with 181 currently residing in lush, semi-natural environments at two Vietnam Bear Rescue Centers located in the buffer zones of Tam Dao National Park (Phu Tho) and Bach Ma National Park (Hue). Here, the bears receive rehabilitation care, are encouraged to move freely, and forage for food, allowing them to gradually regain their natural instincts. HÀ ANH