The bears previously belonged to Tran Van Trach’s family in Thai Nguyen City. He is the first bear owner in Thai Nguyen to voluntarily hand over his bear. Three other bears are still being raised in the province at present. 

The bears get medical checks-up before being handed over the rescue centre

Trach said that he hoped that the remaining bears still being kept by households in the province would be sent to the rescue centre to ensure them a better life and future.

In the first six months of this year, eight bears across the country have been sent to rescue centres. Ninh Binh and Can Tho have ended bear farming, raising the total number of localities without the problem to 22.

Ninh Binh Bear Sanctuary managed by Four Paws Organisation is seen an ideal living place for bears.

According to the latest data released by Vietnam Forest Protection Department as of late July this year, around 780 bears in Vietnam remained in captivity outside rescue centres.

In 2005, the Vietnamese government underlined its efforts to abolish bear farming and this was reiterated in 2017. Many non-governmental organisations have helped Vietnam to do this.

In related news, on August 14, a family in the central province of Quang Binh also handed over two pig-tailed macaques to the rescue centre of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.