Animals Asia: Another bear farm closes as 4 more moon bears are rescued from decades in small metal cages (video Bear Breeze's first bath is adorable)

 Photo : Jill Robinson is the founder of Animals Asia

Oriole and Cuckoo during their rescue, conducted in part by Animals Asia<br>Credit: Courtesy of Animals Asia 

Breezer was rescued before. This is a 'must see' video Enjoy!!

After almost 12 months of careful negotiations, a bear farmer finally agreed to release the last two moon bears still held in cages at his home into the care of Animals Asia. The rescue of the bears, nicknamed Cuckoo and Oriole in recognition of their springtime freedom, marks the closure of another of Vietnam’s bear farms in one of the country’s bear bile farming hotspots.

Breaking down the strongholds

The bears were rescued from a farm in Nghe An province, around 375 km south of Hanoi. In May 2025, a national bear farm survey (part-funded by Animals Asia) identified 15 bears remaining across 5 farms in Nghe An province. The region is one of the top 5 bear bile farming areas left in Vietnam. The farmer was so concerned about what his local community would say about his decision to break with bear farming that he even suggested conducting the rescue at night to avoid being seen by his neighbours.

Oriole and Cuckoo spent over 20 years in farm cages

A public opinion survey commissioned by Animals Asia found that, of the national regions of Vietnam surveyed, the Nghe An region was significantly more supportive of bear bile farming than any other region surveyed, with 70% of survey respondents based in the area in favour or neutral about the practice; compared to an average of just 8% across all other regions. Getting bears out of the region is very challenging because the practice is embedded in the socio-economics of the region.

Love and care are what Cuckoo and Oriole need

Cuckoo and Oriole were both in very poor condition, showing many of the physical and psychological scars caused by a life of captivity and harm.They were both underweight and dehydrated, with heavily callused paws and some fractured teeth. But their new life started as soon as we got their cages open.

Our rescue team carried out health checks as soon as the bears were free from their cages

It's a hot summer and the garden birds are thirsty: You can buy a bird bath but what fun to dig around in your shed, basement, garage and make one

 

It's been a bone-dry summer, and the garden birds could certainly use some extra water. So, dig around in your garage, basement, or shed for materials to make a birdbath 

Birds need fresh drinking water year-round to stay hydrated and to bathe. Bathing is vital, as birds not only wash themselves but also apply oil to their feathers. This keeps their coats well-insulated and water-repellent.

You can buy a birdbath, but it's more fun to make one together using materials you probably already have lying around in your garage, basement, or shed. Get inspired by these tips and go on a birdbath hunting trip with your (grand)children.

1 Lid, pan or soup spoon

Admittedly, a pot lid often has a handle on top, and if you turn it over to fill it with water, it won't stay up at all. Fortunately, that's easily solved. Find three or more thick stones together and place them underneath. Or, if it's an old frying pan, use the pan itself. An old soup ladle can also serve as a drinking bowl: a real eye-catcher. Although, that does make bathing a bit more difficult.

2 Flower pot coasters

Perhaps you have an unused terracotta flowerpot coaster lying around in your shed. Turn an empty flowerpot upside down as a pedestal, add a coaster, and your birdbath is ready. To liven things up a bit, you can also paint the pot and coaster with acrylic paint and then varnish it to prevent the paint from flaking off just as quickly.

3 Old crockery

Old plates and bowls make very decorative birdbaths. Place a few stones in tall bowls to ensure the water isn't deeper than five centimeters. Otherwise, the birds won't use it, as most don't like deep water.

With the kit, you can even make entire stacks of dishes: alternate jugs and cups with plates or bowls, working from wide (bottom) to narrow (top). This way, you create a beautiful cake stand. The children can, of course, add the water, carefully pouring it into the top cup, and then it gradually flows down to the next level.

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