A ground-breaking day of promises kept

Celebrating the last construction phase of our second sanctuary in Vietnam, future home to every last bear remaining on farms as the bear bile industry comes to an end across this beautiful country.

Maybe it was the fluffy white clouds in the sky resembling chubby bears lying on their backs with all four feet in the air.  Or perhaps the sight of the tiny lime-green cricket, slowly and purposefully making his way up the back of the Buddhist monk’s saffron ceremonial robe.  Or the chirping of birdsong competing with the monks’ spiritual chants, both echoing across the forest as our groundbreaking ceremony took place.

But on that day we all felt it.  Everything connected, life celebrating life. And a dream of 26 years advancing even closer to being reached.

Here on this blessed earth we were celebrating the construction and last phase of our second sanctuary in Vietnam, that will rescue every last bear and end bear bile farming for good.

Dr. Linh, Director of Bach Ma National Park, had given the monks our birth dates in advance, in order for them to determine the most auspicious hour for the groundbreaking ceremony. In accordance with local beliefs, when the monks perform the ‘Pray to Land God’ ritual honouring the land spirits, Dr Linh, Heidi our Vietnam Director, and I – as the symbolic landowners – are asking for safety and good fortune throughout the construction process. This intention beautifully aligned with the image of the magical cloud bear — and it felt like a gentle blessing from above.

I remembered the first caged bear I saw on a farm in Hanoi in 1999 and envisaged hand in paw on this ground, praying she had found peace at last.

As we joined officials from the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Hue City Forest Protection Department and Bach Ma National Park, we stood tall. A testament of partnership celebrating Vietnam’s precious wildlife, together.

For decades we have been proud to work with the government of Vietnam – and honour multiple agreements along the way.  None more profound than the declaration of 2023 by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development pledging to end this industry by the end of 2026.  Side by side – a government leading the future defined by compassionate conservation, and a non-government organisation enthusiastically assisting in projects of solution for people and animals alike.

This is the finish line in Vietnam.  Ensuring that our commitment, our intention, our solemn word to end bear bile farming is kept.

Our pledge to the government continues to offer every resource in rescue, the pledge that now carries a sense of urgency to achieve this objective by the end of next year.

Our remarkable local team had planned for this day with infinite thought and oversight.  As we dug into the soft red soil that would soon underpin our education centre and additional facilities, we placed the earth into pots containing the herbal alternatives to bear bile, and nourished them with water and prayers, symbolising growth and success long into the future.

There are far, far too many colleagues, collaborators and friends to mention. Our Vietnam government partners, our local and worldwide teams, our supporters across the globe who have so generously helped us all to keep our founding promise.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

On that auspicious day last week, we celebrated a time of gratitude and resolve for the years and for the legacy we have shared together.  We celebrated a future of kindness and promises kept. And we celebrated our gentle footprint on the earth, where moon bears live free… and there is no bear left behind. 

Rescued bears Sen, Romeo, Bloom and Rizzo at our bear rescue centre in Bach Ma, Vietnam.