From cages to freedom: join our call to free the final bears in Vietnam

I believe, sincerely,  that the Government of Vietnam wants to see bear bile farming consigned to history. They have carried out more to eliminate this painful and traumatic practice than any other country in the world. And they have signed formal agreements with Animals Asia that they themselves have publicised.

But 21 years have passed since the extraction of bear bile was outlawed, and nine years have gone by since the Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Animals Asia committing to end bear farming. The reality is that the bears still trapped in farm cages today were most likely in those very same tiny cages in 2005. Each bear an individual with a personality, with feelings, with purpose and a precious life to live.  

Their fate hangs in the balance

With many of these bears old and in need of medical care, we anticipate around four are dying every month. The stark fact is that by the end of 2026, bear bile farming in Vietnam will be close to ending, purely because many of the final bears have died in their farm cages as a consequence of the industry that extracted their bile. It doesn’t have to be this way. 

Social harmony in Southeast Asia is highly valued. Governments and communities emphasise the importance of collective well-being and societal stability. In the past, we know there have been concerns about disrupting social harmony if the Government were to mandate the release of bile bears from their farm cages, fearing it may go against the wishes of those in the wider farming communities in Vietnam.

9 out of 10 people in Vietnam want the final bile bears released

Thankfully, collective mindsets change over time. Today we are releasing findings of a new opinion poll from Vietnam, revealing that 9 out of 10 (87%) Vietnamese people want bear bile farming to end. The same huge majority support the immediate release of the last bile bears. The poll, commissioned by Animals Asia, demonstrates very little demand today for bear bile in traditional medicine, with just 13% of respondents having purchased or consumed bear bile products, compared to 22% in 2010. The people of Vietnam are voting to protect their country’s endangered species by rejecting products that have previously exploited them.

Help us appeal to the new Prime Minister

With a newly elected Prime Minister of Vietnam announced last week, today we are launching a letter-writing campaign showing our unity with the people of Vietnam by appealing for the urgent release of the final bears. Led by more than 30 global celebrities, our letter campaign will shine a light on the plight of these sad remaining bears, and show the Government of Vietnam that the world cares about their fate. 

At our Bach Ma sanctuary, we can offer every last bear the best individualised care and medical treatment. They can enjoy whatever time they have left in peace and safety, in naturalistic grassy enclosures simply being bears. All that’s needed is for the new Prime Minister to say yes to our respectful request. Every signature brings us closer to the day the last bear walks out of a cage and into our sanctuary.

Please, please, add your name today.