Moon bears, also known as Asiatic black bears, were rescued from tiny cages at an illegal bile farm in Laos. The bears, aged between 1 and 3 years old, were confined to metal cages in a shed and are believed to have been taken directly from the wild as cubs, with their mothers likely killed in the process.
Rescue Efforts
Conservation organization Free the Bears and Lao authorities rescued the bears in Southeast Asia’s largest ever bear farm rescue. Ten of the 27 bears saved have now completed their quarantine at Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary in Laos and have been allowed to explore their enclosure.
According to Matt Hunt, CEO of Free the Bears, this is the first time the bears have touched grass, foraged freely, or climbed trees since they were illegally taken. The bears have experienced many firsts since they arrived at the sanctuary, including meeting other bears, eating vegetables, and learning how to regulate their own water intake after years of only being given water once a day.
Free the Bears is calling on supporters to help fund the urgent $300,000 sanctuary expansion, so all 27 rescued bears can move from quarantine into large natural forest habitats in the months ahead. Providing proper care, including nutritious food, daily enrichment, and expert veterinary treatment, can cost over $150,000 per bear across their lifetime.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
