Wednesday 20 January: The rescue started around 8.00am on Monday, with the loading of the containers onto trucks. This carefully executed operation was successfully completed and the team was on the road by 10.30am.
Vietnam Director Tuan reports:
“The bears were fed before leaving and we brought lots of water melon and dragon fruit for the trip. It was very hot on the first day, so we stopped every two hours to check on the bears and give them water, fruit, and banana leaves.
The bears are being regularly hosed down and so far all have taken the trip in their stride, eating well and not showing any new signs of distress.”
Stopping every two hours, the team gives the bears fresh fruit and water.
Tuan and the bears are accompanied by some of our experienced bear workers from the rescue centre at Tam Dao and a team of drivers. The drivers are taking turns at the wheel in order to keep the convoy constantly on the move. The only stops being made are for refreshment – for both man and bears.
All is going well and the team is on schedule to arrive at Tam Dao sometime on Thursday.
In the meantime, our Vietnam Education Officer, Chinh, is working to send us a diary each day from the road. Please click on the link below to read his first instalment.
The rescue team and truck drivers: united in their goal to get these bears home.
It took over two hours to lift and secure the containers on the truck beds.
The rescue team prepares fruit for the bears during the long, hot trip.
The fresh fruit is a huge improvement on the tasteless food they were used to on the farm.
