On Tuesday, the Animals Asia organisation took possession of a 13-year-old female bear that had spent virtually all its life in a tiny cage.  A family in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Chau Commune voluntarily handed her over. 

The 170kg bear had been caged since she was captured as a young bear in 2005.  After the rescue, the bear was named Chau after Hoa Chau Commune, and was given a medical examination.

The rescued bear

Veterinarian Weng Nash from Animals Asia’s Vietnam Bear Sanctuary said, “Chau’s current health condition is stable but her hands and feet are suffering from calluses due to the awfully long time spent inside the tiny cage.  In addition, she has tooth decay”.

The bear is now on her way to the bear sanctuary in the Tam Dao National Park in northern Vinh Phuc Province.

Animals Asia have asked the Da Nang Forest Protection Department to rescue all the caged bears which are being kept by families in the city, and then take them to the sanctuary.