According to FOUR PAWS Viet, the female moon bear had been held in captivity by a family in Phu Hao hamlet, Phu Hung ward, Ben Tre city, since 2002. Its current weight is 139kg. The provincial forest guard force has pinned a chip on the bear to monitor and conduct periodical inspections on the bear’s living condition and health status.
After the reception, FOUR PAWS Viet took the moon bear to the bear sanctuary in Ky Phu commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province.
Ngo Thi Mai Huong, FOUR PAWS Viet’s director, said that the centre, together with other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), are mobilising people nationwide to hand over any captive bears because the bear is a protected wild animal and among the list of rare wild animals.
There are currently nearly 800 bears living in sparse conditions in households across Vietnam, she said, adding that rescue centres are willing to receive these bear individuals in order to take care of them and provide them with a life closer to nature.
Earlier, on May 29, the Can Tho municipal authorities handed over the last captive bear to the bear rescue station at Cat Tien National Park, making the Mekong Delta city become the 22nd locality in Vietnam to not have any more captive bears.
