"Happy bears" in Vietnam's largest rescue center

At 4 p.m., An, the bear adopted by actress Tang Thanh Ha and her husband, began to slowly walk out onto the green lawn outside the cage. Climbing onto a large swing, the little bear began to sit comfortably, her eyes half-closed as she looked at us as we tried to take pictures outside the electric fence.

An is a baby bear that was rescued by Animals Asia on June 2, 2022 from Dien Bien province. Escaping from the hands of illegal hunters, the little bear was taken care of at Tam Dao - the largest bear rescue center in Vietnam. THE LARGEST BEAR Rescuing Center IN VIETNAM The project to build the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center, invested by Animals Asia (AAF) with nearly 3.4 million USD, started construction in 2006, after being approved by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Located in the heart of Chat Dau valley in Tam Dao National Park ( Vinh Phuc ), this is one of the two largest and best bear rescue centers in the world. With an area of about 12 hectares, the Center has become a peaceful home for about 200 bears brought back from all over the country.

A bear is resting on its own swing in Tam Dao. (Photo: Son Bach)

The Vietnam Bear Rescue Center is built to strict standards with an environmentally friendly design and landscape. The entire animal waste system is thoroughly treated to avoid pollution to the National Park. Experts at the center shared that most of the individuals living here were rescued from bile farms for human benefit. At the farms, they are locked in iron cages for many years, drugged and continuously "squeezed" of bile in a cycle of about 20 days/time.

In the past two years, Animals Asia and the Hanoi Forest Protection Department have mobilized to rescue 14 bears. In Hanoi, Phuc Tho district alone has 116 bears in captivity and the authorities continue to mobilize and conduct regular inspections of bear-raising households.

Taking us to visit a row of 3 containers located right next to the operations center, Ms. Chi, an employee who has been with the center for many years, said that this is where 19 bears were illegally kept in captivity during the 2010 rescue in Binh Duong . “In the hot weather of 35-40 degrees Celsius, each narrow container was divided into 6-7 compartments, each compartment held 1 bear. All were hunted in the wild, including 1 blind bear, 2 others with amputated legs,” the guide recalled.

The containers that were once "bear prisons" are kept as visual educational tools to document the cruelty of some people towards bears. (Photo: Son Bach)

After traveling 1,500km to be brought to the center, some bears showed signs of prolonged panic, such as standing and swinging their whole bodies continuously for hours without stopping. Until now, the "bear cage" is still preserved as evidence of the terrible cruelty that some people have cruelly committed. "Currently, according to statistics, there are about 400 bears in the country. We are committed to rescuing the last individual, with the motto: Do not leave any bear behind. A good sign is that after 6 years of continuous propaganda and mobilization, many farms/individuals have voluntarily returned bears. 80% of the rescued bears at the center are of this type," the representative of the Center emphasized. BEAR PARADISE According to statistics, as of June 2023, the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center is taking care of about 200 bears. Every day, the center staff takes care of their meals and sleep. “After returning home, the bears will be monitored separately in the quarantine area before having the opportunity to get used to the semi-wild area to re-establish their herd living habits,” Chi continued.

A bear is taken care of at the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center (Tam Dao, Vinh Phuc). (Photo: Son Bach)

The semi-wild area is also the most beautiful area in the center with many rows of houses with cages placed in the middle of a spacious campus. Here, conservation experts have built everything from grass, lakes, mountains, caves, and even arranged swings, bridges, wooden boards, etc. to make toys for the bears. Currently, the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center has nearly 30,000 square ^{meters of} outdoor semi-wild space designed and equipped to encourage the natural behavior of bears. In addition, there are 5 double bear houses, each with two rows of bear rooms with doors opening to the outdoor semi-wild area with swimming pools, trees, and structures to help the bears recover their instincts. In addition, the center also has two bear houses without semi-wild areas, a special bear care area, and a temporary sheltered isolation area for newly rescued bears. To ensure safety, the "bear house" is surrounded by two layers of fence: the outside is a steel mesh over 2m high, the inside is a single-phase electrical system.

To ensure safety, the "bear house" is surrounded by two layers of fence: the outside is a steel mesh over 2m high, the inside is a single-phase electrical system.

Every day, the staff will put food in bamboo tubes, plastic boxes or hide them in streams, under rocks, or hang them high up to stimulate the bears to search for them, thereby helping them regain their natural instincts. "The bear menu is constantly changed according to the principle of non-repetition. We feed our 'friends' vegetables, fruits, honey-infused ice water, oatmeal, yogurt, and even ice cream made especially for bears," the female staff explained as she opened the cooler and brought out giant ice creams made from water bowls for us to see.

The bears at the Center own unique toys made of wood, bamboo and plastic like this. (Photo: Son Bach)

Ms. Chi added that on average, the bears at the center will have a health check-up once every 2 years. However, during the care process, the staff also recorded the health status of each individual. In case of any abnormal signs, they will report to the expert team for timely handling. “The bears here are very pitiful because they are heavily affected psychologically due to being kept in captivity for too long. Some have lost their legs and are blind in both eyes. Our center is committed to nurturing these special individuals until the end of their lives,” Ms. Chi said.

"Forever in our hearts, brave bear." The tombstone for Shanti bear at Tam Dao Bear Cemetery. (Photo: Son Bach)

In particular, in addition to being cared for, the bears at the Center even have their own resting area. A separate plot of land across the valley is reserved for the burial of bears who unfortunately pass away. Ben, was the first bear to be buried here. Up to now, the entire area has had more than 50 "bear graves". Late afternoon in early June, from the cages, the bears all poured out into the playground. The previous worries seemed to have disappeared. A new, more peaceful life for bears in the Tam Dao paradise has begun!

Vietnam Bear Rescue Center, Facility 2, to be operational soon According to the latest information, Vietnam Bear Rescue Center, Facility 2, at Bach Ma National Park, will be operational by the end of June. This is a center funded by Animals Asia with a non-refundable aid of 10.5 million USD (equivalent to 242.5 billion VND), approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. With a scale of more than 12 hectares, the Center will rescue and care for more than 300 bears received from private bear farms and violations. It is expected that in August 2023, the first bear will be brought to its "new home" in Bach Ma.

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