Dame Judi Dench, Stephen Fry, Alan Cumming, Chris Packham, and Dame Joanna Lumley are among more than 30 celebrities backing an open letter to Vietnam’s new Prime Minister today, urging an end to bear bile farming.
The letter, coordinated by Animals Asia, calls for the release of the last remaining bears used in the bile industry, an action that would make Vietnam the first country in the world to fully end bear bile farming. The charity is also urging the public to join the campaign by writing to the Prime Minister HERE!
Pills made from bear bile.
A new poll released alongside the letter suggests overwhelming public opposition to the trade in Vietnam, with 87% of respondents saying they want the immediate release of bile bears. The survey, commissioned by Animals Asia, also indicates declining demand for bear bile in traditional medicine, with just 13% of respondents reporting they had purchased or consumed bear bile products, compared to 22% in 2010.
The letter states: “As animal lovers with a deep commitment to compassionate animal welfare, we join the people of Vietnam in their concern for the 150 bears trapped in tiny metal cages, sick, suffering, and alone on former bear bile farms across the country.”
Extracting bile from a sedated bear
Around four bears are estimated to die each month, making the rescue of the remaining animals increasingly urgent. Although bile extraction was outlawed in Vietnam in 2005, farmers have been permitted to keep bears in captivity. A 2017 agreement between the Vietnamese government and Animals Asia committed to ending bear bile farming entirely, a goal the charity says is now within reach.
The letter continues: “That’s why we are calling on you, your Excellency, to take the crucial and caring step of urgently mandating the release of the last surviving bears, allowing Animals Asia to take them into their care, before it’s too late. Securing the freedom of these last victims of the brutal trade of bear bile will reflect the Vietnamese public’s own support for an end to the cruelty.”
Actor and comedian Ricky Gervais, who previously supported an Animals Asia bear named Derek, stated: “I had to sign this letter, it’s too important an issue to ignore. These bears have suffered for long enough, with years of bile extraction and the horror of life in a cage. As a bear guardian to Derek Bear, who sadly died three years ago, I know the incredible recovery they experience at the Animals Asia sanctuary. They all deserve to end their days in safety and comfort as Derek did. I urge the Vietnamese government to finish their brilliant work to end bear bile farming there forever, and ensure these final survivors are freed.”
Sir Stephen Fry added: “I’m deeply saddened by the plight of the last remaining bears on bile farms in Vietnam. There’s a beautiful sanctuary waiting for them to live out the rest of their lives in peace. They just need to be released by the farmers. I do hope our letter to the Vietnamese Prime Minister means their cages will be opened, and they can be urgently rescued. With four dying every month, there is no time to waste.”
Dame Joanna Lumley stated: “Any sort of animal cruelty or suffering is so deeply heartbreaking to witness. Broken bears in cages little bigger than their bodies, barely surviving the brutality they have been subjected to for decades, is very hard to watch. I desperately hope that adding my name to this vital letter plays some part in helping to secure the release of the very last survivors of bear bile farming in Vietnam. With four dying in their cages every month, these poor majestic animals must urgently be freed.”
Dr. Jill Robinson, Founder and CEO of Animals Asia, stated: “The Vietnamese government is an incredible beacon for animal welfare across Asia. They have done more to end bear bile farming than any other country in the world. Now we ask for one final act of compassion for Vietnam’s very last bile bears still trapped and suffering in cages. We have everything ready to rescue these broken bears, but just need the government to help secure their release. Only then can we celebrate the end of bear bile farming forever in Vietnam. We desperately hope that these last survivors can finally see sunshine and can live out their remaining years in the peace and safety of our sanctuary.”
Animals Asia has rescued more than 700 bears since 2007 and currently cares for 185 bears across its two sanctuaries in Vietnam.
Most bears used in bile farming were taken from the wild as cubs and confined to small cages for life, often unable to stand or turn around. Many endured repeated bile extraction and lived in severe neglect, suffering disease, malnutrition, and extreme confinement for decades. Bears can survive in such conditions for up to 30 years.
Rescued bears are rehabilitated at Animals Asia’s sanctuaries, where they receive medical care, specialist diets, and physiotherapy. They spend the rest of their lives in more than 11 hectares of sanctuary space, where they can walk on grass, feel sunlight, swim, and interact with other bears for the first time.
Bear bile remains a significant driver of the illegal wildlife trade in East Asia and has contributed to major declines in Asiatic black bear populations. The species is now listed as vulnerable, with global populations having declined sharply in recent decades. Ending bear bile farming in Vietnam is seen as a critical step toward preventing further decline and potential extinction.
Help Animals Asia provide lifelong care for bears rescued from bile farming. Please donate HERE!
That’s recent rescue Jenny! She was orphaned as a wild cub and given a home at our Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF). Her healthy white teeth and beautiful muzzle are a testament to her wild life, free from exploitation as a ‘dancing’ bear. Photo by Vineet.
Gopal likes to be left in quiet solitude. Solitary hunters, the ‘conflict’ tiger had one too many run-ins with humans. Rather than being killed, he was giving a large forested home at Wildlife SOS where he’s no longer a threat to people. Photo by Akash.
We get some unexpectedly wild rescues! Our rapid response teams must be prepared for almost anything. They recently captured this rather large crocodile and relocated him to a location more suitable for the croc. Are you into snakes and reptiles? If so, check out our YouTube playlist HERE. Photo by Shresatha.
Worldwide, birdwatching has seen a big surge in popularity, particularly since 2020. Driven by a pandemic-era interest in nature and youth engagement, many people are discovering the birds around them.
Mobile phone apps are making bird identification even easier! We love these apps from Cornell Labs: Merlin for identifying bird calls, and eBirds for tracking the birds migrating through your area. We’ve also got iNaturalist projects set up, where you can see the nature spotted around our Agra Bear Rescue facility. This sunbird photo was taken by Abhiman.
That’s Pari out for a walk. If you ever wonder what impact your support makes, Pari’s success embodies everything we work for. Her transformation has been remarkable, and she doesn’t even look like the same frail elephant we rescued a few years ago. Watch her THEN, and see her NOW. Amazing! Photo by Vineet.
Photo credit: Lions at the Camagüey Zoo Facebook/Yanaris Alvarez
As severe economic instability in Cuba continues, a worsening animal welfare crisis is emerging within its zoos, raising urgent concerns that can no longer be ignored.
Recent reports from April 2026 paint a deeply troubling picture. At the Casino Campestre Zoo, images and eyewitness accounts have sparked international concern, showing lions in visibly emaciated condition. They appear weak, severely malnourished, and described as skeletal in appearance, struggling to survive. These reports have prompted urgent calls for immediate intervention.
But this may not be an isolated case.
Across the country, multiple facilities are reportedly facing similar challenges as Cuba’s ongoing shortages of food, fuel, and basic resources take a devastating toll not only on people, but also on animals entirely dependent on human care.
Zoos are increasingly struggling to meet even the most basic standards of animal welfare. Caretakers, often working under extremely difficult conditions, are constrained by a lack of supplies, limiting their ability to provide consistent nutrition and adequate care.
Facilities such as the National Zoo of Cuba are not immune to the country’s broader economic crisis, raising serious questions about long term sustainability and animal welfare.
Meanwhile, attractions such as the Acuario Nacional de Cuba and the Delfinario de Cienfuegos continue to operate, though visitor experiences vary widely and growing ethical concerns are being raised about conditions and consistency of care.
This crisis raises a broader and urgent question: what happens to captive wildlife when the systems meant to protect them begin to fail?
Without immediate attention, resources, and international support, the suffering of these animals risks deepening further, hidden in plain sight behind bars that were never meant to become cages of neglect.
The global community cannot look away. Greater transparency, independent monitoring, and urgent intervention from Cuban authorities are needed to address these conditions and prevent further suffering.
Take action by contacting the Cuban government, along with international animal welfare and public authorities, to urge immediate intervention to protect the lions and other animals at the Casino Campestre Zoo, as well as at zoos and facilities across Cuba.
The management of the Zoo at the Casino Campestre in Camagüey issued a statement rejecting the allegations shared on social media regarding the abandonment and malnutrition of its animals, but subtly acknowledged that the country's economic crisis directly affects the facility.
The text, shared by Radio Camagüey on , describes the publications that circulated in recent days as "manipulation and slander," and claims that the workers care for the animals "with such diligence and dedication."
However, the statement itself acknowledges that the oldest lioness in the zoo, at 22 years old, "shows natural signs of deterioration due to her inability to digest food," although it attributes this to biological causes associated with her old age.
The institution claims to have five caretakers, a food preparation specialist, a biologist, and a veterinarian who monitor the animals' health daily.
Facebook capture / Radio Camagüey
Even so, the message concludes with a phrase that reveals the contradiction between the official discourse and reality: the zoo operates "despite the effects of the current economic situation in the country, from which it is not exempt."
The complaints that prompted the institutional response began last Thursday, when the Cuban Yanaris Álvarez published images of three lions from the Casino Campestre showing ribcages and visibly marked bones, severely atrophied muscles, and lying on a concrete floor surrounded by dry leaves in a neglected environment.
The next day, on Friday, citizen Pedro González reported in the Facebook group Revolico Camagüey that the zoo director prevented him and other neighbors from directly feeding the animals with meat, guava, bananas, and corn purchased with their own resources.
González's response was forceful: "Where is that diet when animals are dying of hunger? Where is the care when the water is dirty and the environment is unhealthy?"
The director suggested as an alternative that citizens donate food to the zoo staff so that it could be given to the animals, a proposal that the neighbors rejected. "We all know what usually happens with donations: they don't always reach those who truly need them," González explained.
The case of Casino Campestre, the largest zoo in Cuba with over 900 animals from 72 species, is not an isolated incident but part of a documented pattern of neglect in state facilities throughout the Island.
Cuba approved the Animal Welfare Decree-Law in 2021, with fines ranging from 500 to 4,000 Cuban pesos, but activists and independent organizations point out that the law lacks effective enforcement mechanisms and that state institutions rarely respond to complaints.
The statement made this Saturday is a notable exception, although its defensive tone and its veiled acknowledgment of the economic crisis as a limiting factor reveal that, behind the official words, the situation of the animals under state management remains critical.
What a quarter it has been. From a sperm whale rescue, to the release of rehabilitated macaques into protected forest, to wildlife crime raids in Java and a massive confiscation in North Maluku that brought over 100 animals into safety.
The support we have felt from this community (in words and in donations) during our most urgent rescue operations has been incredible. Thank you!!
A warm welcome too to everyone joining us from the Ellis Park community. We are so happy you are here. Read on to discover all the animals we have been fighting for this quarter.
Kinds regards, Femke Den Haas Co-founder & Director, JAAN Wildlife
Stranded sperm whale rescued in West Bali
On December 23rd, our Umah Lumba team worked side by side with the Marine Police and Forestry authorities through an entire day (six attempts, hours of tension) to refloat a stranded sperm whale off the coast of West Bali. Read the full story (or watch the YouTube video) of how this magnificent creature finally took three deep dives and disappeared into the open ocean.
From a smuggler's box to the treetops of Sumatra: 24 macaques finally home
Rescued as infants from Indonesia's illegal pet trade, 24 long-tailed macaques spent years in rehabilitation at our Sumatra Wildlife Center before making the long journey to the mangrove forests of Berbak Sembilang National Park. Discover the full story and witness the moment they leapt into the trees for the very first time.
114 Papuan animals confiscated and a month-long race to bring them home.
In February 2026, authorities intercepted a vessel carrying 114 Papuan animals (tree kangaroos, cuscuses, pythons and more) crammed into pipes, cages, and the ship's cabin toilet. Read how our team joined a month-long operation to care for the survivors and return them to the forests of Papua where they belong.
Freek Vonk went to Sumatra and became a baby monkey mum
When Dutch biologist and TV personality Freek Vonk visited our Sumatra Wildlife Center, he didn't just observe! He rolled up his sleeves and became a temporary surrogate mum (and long-term sponsor) for two of our ten rescued baby macaques.
The little ones had been intercepted by our K9 sniffer dog team at a port in South Sumatra, about to be smuggled to Java. The 10 of 13 survivors are now receiving round-the-clock care at our center and will start a 3-year rehabilitation journey before they can be released into protected rainforest as confident, independent adults.
You can be part of their journey. By sponsoring one of the baby monkeys, you directly cover the costs of their medical care, nutrition, and full rehabilitation program.
117 and counting: another family of macaques returns to the Bali forest
Bali has taken a landmark stand for primates. By banning the trade and private ownership of primates, the island has created something rare: a place where positive change and real enforcement is possible.
The ban came into force last year, after years of campaigning by JAAN. Since then, we have been able to rescue and release 117 primates back into the wild. This quarter, another family of 17 rehabilitated long-tailed macaques was released into a protected forest reserve in West Bali, with full coordination and attendance of local authorities.
That same ban also gave us the tools to act fast when reports came in of people walking along Canggu Beach with baby pig-tailed macaques dressed in clothing, offering them for tourist photo shoots. At least one monkey has also been sold to a foreigner. Working alongside BKSDA Bali, we tracked down the traders and confiscated the macaques.
Bali is setting the example. Now, all of Indonesia needs to follow!
Our wildlife crime investigators led a raid on a poacher's home in Central Java, with assistance of the police. They found kilos of pangolin scales, one live pangolin covered in bite wounds from the poacher's dogs (who died shortly after rescue), two young leopard cats, a baby siamang, and a yellow-crested cockatoo. Legal proceedings are underway, and our team is determined to see the traders held accountable.
The investigators identified two more illegal wildlife traders and they coordinated a raid with undercover police. During the operation, local residents gathered and attacked the team! Luckily, police backup arrived quickly and both the traders and all 18 eagles were taken into custody. The birds are now in our care at the Sumatra Wildlife Center.
Indonesia's first K9 anti-poaching unit (run by JAAN) recorded 21 violations in national park territory within its first two months alone. In February, two of our handlers and their dogs completed their official certification with IFAW, making them fully operational. With only tens of Javan rhinos left in the wild, the work of this team has never been more critical.
From the forest to the sea: a quarter of rescues and releases across Indonesia
Sari the leopard cat, rescued as a tiny cub in August 2025, was successfully released back into the wild on December 27 after six months in our care.
In Denpasar, a baby pig-tailed macaque was found abandoned in a rubbish bin and is now being cared for ahead of relocation to our Sumatra Wildlife Center.
A mouse deer that had wandered into a Sumatran village in a panic was evacuated and safely released within 12 hours, and a green sea turtle in poor condition was brought into our UmahLumba sea turtle hospital in West Bali.
Later in January, two brown booby seabirds (a species we had never rescued before) were found exhausted on the West Bali coast, likely disoriented by storms, and are now recovering at our center.
On January 27, a stranded pygmy sperm whale was rushed to our marine mammal rehabilitation center, but despite 20 hours of intensive care, the animal did not survive. A heartbreaking reminder of how fragile these situations can be..
Finally, our Sumatra Wildlife Center took in 33 confiscated non-native reptiles, including alligator snapping turtles and Amboina box tortoises, handed over by seaport quarantine authorities.
Alam, who has been through so much suffering, has found her forever home at Ellis Park!
She was kept by someone in a tiny cage on the streets of Jakarta for over 6 years. It left her exposed and vulnerable. Kids would often bully her and at some point poked her with a sharp stick. The wound grew into an enormous tumor, covering almost her entire face!
Thanks to your support and donations, we were able to rescue Alam. She underwent surgery and received intensive veterinary care. Now, she's sharing a beautiful and spacious enclosure with Pearle, a blind female macaque. Her recovery is going well and she's slowly getting used to her new forever home at Ellis Park.
It's another painful example of why we need a nationwide ban on keeping monkeys as pets! And that's exactly what we are going to keep fighting for.
"I just want to thank all our supporters of Ellis Park. With your help the team is able to work to their best abilities. What an incredible community we have created.
Love, Warren Ellis" Ellis Park co-founder
February Survey results
In February, we sent out a short survey asking for your thoughts on our new newsletter layout and content. The response was clear: the quarterly frequency works well and the content is much appreciated. Two things you'd love to see more of: updates from Ellis Park and more insights into our ongoing programs and projects (including how you can contribute). We'll be adding more of both into every edition going forward.
Finally, congratulations to Julia. You won the survey raffle! We sent you an email yesterday and you will have the special opportunity to name one of our most recent rescues!
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