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Bears taste freedom after years of bile farm cruelty
31 Jul
Summary
- 27 moon bears rescued from illegal farm in Laos.
- Rescued bears experience outdoors and natural ground for first time.
- Animals will require lifelong sanctuary care due to trauma.
A recent rescue operation in Laos has brought freedom to 27 moon bears, including a young bear named Jing Lee, who had been held on an illegal bile farm. For years, these bears were confined to cramped metal cages, subjected to bile extraction, and deprived of natural experiences. They were recently removed from the foreign-owned farm and transferred to the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary.
For many of the rescued bears, who are estimated to be between 1 and 3 years old, this marked their first experience with sunlight and the outdoors. The conservation charity Free the Bears led the effort, with team members noting that basic behaviors like walking on natural ground, climbing, and swimming are completely new to the animals.
The bears' ordeal began when they were taken from the wild as cubs and fed only cornmeal. This has resulted in physical and psychological trauma, affecting their ability to adjust even to chewing harder foods. Rehabilitation at the sanctuary is ongoing, and due to their past suffering, these bears will require lifelong care, including specialized veterinary support and enrichment.
