These four sun bears were all destined for life in a cage – look at them now
They were destined for awful lives. With their mothers killed by poachers, each of these four bears was to be sold. Whether on a bear bile farm or as an exotic pet, they would have spent their entire lives in tiny cages.
They never would have known nature with all its grass, trees, water and insect life. They never would have known friendship and long days spent endlessly playing.
But since being rescued, this is exactly how they spend every single day – playing happily together out on the grass just as young bears should.
Animals Asia’s Vietnam Bear and Vet Team Director Heidi Quine said:
“What a joy to see these four having the time of their lives together. They are such bundles of energy and enthusiasm that there is never a dull moment with them.
“Every new toy or structure the team dreams up for them is put to new and surprising use – but that’s the point. They’re being kept stimulated and having fun and that’s exactly what we want to see.”
Murphy, the youngest of the group at just two years-old, recently received his first ever health check and was microchipped. His carers were pleased to report he was in perfect health.
Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:
“I’ve seen so many bears in awful conditions after being rescued from bear bile farms. Life in captivity breaks them mentally and physically in a way which no animal could ever deserve.
“That Layla, Sassy, Murphy and Goldie were spared that awful fate fills me with relief every day. They have the open sky above them, soft grass under their paws – and most importantly of all, they have each other.”
Animals Asia has rescued more than 600 bears in Vietnam and China – mostly from the bile industry. Today, around 170 bears enjoy peaceful lives at the charity’s Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre, while almost 100 bears remain at a second sanctuary in Chengdu, China.
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