At 4 p.m., An, the bear adopted by actor Tang Thanh Ha and his wife, began walking slowly out into the green grass outside the cage. Climbing on a large swing, the little bear began to sit comfortably, eyes half-lidded as we were trying to take pictures outside the electric fence.
An is a cub that was rescued by Animals Asia on June 2, 6 from Dien Bien province. Escaped from the hands of illegal hunters, the little bear was moved to Tam Dao to take care of - Bear Rescue Center Vietnam's largest.
VIETNAM's BIGGEST Bear Rescue Center
The project to build the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center, invested nearly 3,4 million USD by Animals Asia (AAF), was started construction in 2006, after being approved by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture. and Rural Development approved, approved.
Located in the heart of the Rooster valley in Tam Dao National Park (Vinh Phuc), this is one of the two centers with the best and largest bear rescue function 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.
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| A bear resting on his own swing in Tam Dao. (Photo: Son Bach) |
Vietnam Bear Rescue Center is built to strict standards with environmentally friendly design and landscape. The entire animal waste system is thoroughly treated to avoid pollution for the National Park.
The center's experts shared that most of the individuals living here were rescued from nectar farms to serve the benefit of people. On farms, they are kept for many years in iron cages, drugged and then continuously "squeezed out" of honey every 20 days.
In the last 2 years, Animals Asia and the Hanoi Forest Protection Department have campaigned to save 14 bears.
In Hanoi, Phuc Tho district alone has 116 bears in captivity and the authorities still carry out regular campaigning and regular inspection to bear-raising households.
Taking us out to visit a row of 3 containers that were left near the operation center, Ms. Chi, an employee who has been with the center for many years, said that this is the place where 19 bears were illegally kept in captivity. 2010 in Binh Duong.
“In the middle of a sunny 35-40 degrees Celsius, each narrow container is divided into 6-7 compartments, each compartment holds 1 individual bear. All were hunted in the wild, one of which was blind, the other two lost their legs," the guide recalled.
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| Containers that used to be "bear prisons" are kept as visual educational tools documenting the cruelty of some people to bears. (Photo: Son Bach) |
After traveling 1.500km to be brought back to the center, some bears showed signs of prolonged panic such as standing and swinging their whole body continuously for hours without stopping. Until now, the "bear cage" is still preserved as evidence of the terrible atrocities that some people have ruthlessly committed.
“Currently, according to statistics, the whole country has about 400 bears. We are committed to saving the last individual, with the motto: Don't 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 bears rescued at the center are of this type,” the center representative emphasized.
bear's paradise
According to statistics, as of June 6, the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center is taking care of about 2023 bears. Every day, they are taken care of by the staff in the center for each meal and sleep.
"After returning home, the bears will be monitored separately in the isolation area before having the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the semi-wild area to re-establish the habit of living in a herd," Chi continued.
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| 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 stables in the middle of the spacious campus. Here, conservation experts fully build from lawns, lakes, mountains, caves, and even arrange swings, bridges, wooden boards... to make toys for bears.
Currently, the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center has nearly 30.000 square meters2 outdoor semi-wild spaces designed and equipped to encourage natural bear behaviour. In addition, there are 5 double bear houses where each house has two rows of bear shelters with doors that open to a semi-wild outdoor area with swimming pools, trees and structures to help 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 shelter with shelter for newly rescued bears. To ensure safety, surrounding the "bear house" area has 2 layers of fence: Outside is a wire mesh higher than 2m, inside is a single-phase electrical system.
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| To ensure safety, surrounding the "bear house" area has 2 layers of fence: Outside is a wire mesh higher than 2m, inside is a single-phase electrical system. |
Every day, the staff will put food in bamboo tubes, plastic boxes or hide it in streams, under rocks, or hang it up high to stimulate individual bears to search for themselves, thereby helping them get back. inherent nature.
“The bear's menu is constantly changed according to the principle of not repeating. We give 'friends' vegetables and fruits, honey iced water, oats, yogurt, even ice cream made specifically for bears," explained the female employee as she opened the cooler and brought out the boxes. giant ice cream made with water bowls show us.
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| The bears at the Center can own unique wooden, bamboo and plastic toys like these. (Photo: Son Bach) |
Ms. Chi added that, on average, every 2 years, bears at the center will have a periodical health check once. However, throughout the care process, the staff also recorded the health status of each individual. In case of abnormal symptoms, it will be reported to the expert team for timely handling.
“The bears here are very pitiful when they are severely affected psychologically because they have been kept in captivity for so long. There was an uncle who lost his leg and was blind in both eyes. Our center is committed to nurturing these special individuals for the rest of their lives,” said Chi.
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| "Forever in our hearts, brave bear." Gravestone 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 private plot of land across the valley is dedicated to burying bears that have unfortunately passed away. Ben, was the first bear to be buried here. Up to now, the whole area has more than 50 "bear graves".
Late afternoon in early June, from the stables, the bears have all spilled out onto the playground. The worries of the past seem to be gone. A new, more peaceful life with bears in Tam Dao paradise has begun!
Vietnam Bear Rescue Center Campus 2 is about to go into operation
According to the latest information, Vietnam Bear Rescue Center base 2 at Bach Ma National Park will be able to go into operation at the end of June. This is a center funded by Animals Asia with a grant of 6 million USD (equivalent to 10,5 billion VND), approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
With a scale of more than 12 hectares, the Center will rescue and take care of more than 300 bears received from private bear breeding facilities and violations. It is expected that in August 8, the first bear will be brought to a "new home" in Bach Ma.
Nhandan.vn
