How a global pandemic sparked a breakthrough in bear care
When the world shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic, something remarkable began behind the scenes at Animals Asia’s Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre. With fewer bear rescues and no visitors, our veterinary and behavioural teams found themselves with a rare gift: time. And with that time came innovation.
It started with an idea. One of our associate veterinary surgeons, Kate Shipton, approached Bear and Vet Team Director, Emily Lloyd, with a bold question: what if we could bring physiotherapy to the bears?
Physiotherapy is long-established in human and canine care. But for bears? That was uncharted territory.
A new kind of healing
Many of the bears rescued from bile farms arrive with serious mobility issues – arthritis, spinal problems, missing limbs, and the lasting effects of decades in cages barely big enough to turn around in. Medication could only go so far. What these bears needed was a way to rebuild strength, flexibility and confidence – to reclaim their bodies and their independence.
Drawing on their combined veterinary expertise and a bit of ‘Animals Asia tenacity’, Kate and Emily began a trial. With guidance from Australian veterinary physiotherapist Brooke Williams, they designed tailored rehabilitation programs for two bears: Arthur and Milagro.
And the results were astonishing.
Arthur and Milagro didn’t just tolerate their physio sessions – they loved them! Milagro would wait impatiently at the gate, rattling it excitedly as staff set up his den. Using enrichment and careful den design, the team encouraged specific movements like stretching, pulling and reaching to help strengthen muscles and increase mobility.
Every session was tracked and analysed. The science confirmed what the bears were already showing us: physiotherapy worked.
A program like no other
From those humble beginnings, a groundbreaking program was born. As more bears joined, the team encountered new challenges and rose to meet them with creativity and compassion.
Physio equipment made for humans often doesn’t work for 150kg bears. So, we got inventive. Resistance bands were adapted, logs became balance tools, tunnels became stretching stations. Some exercises required completely novel approaches, like teaching bears to walk backwards or stretch their necks to reach upwards.
Safety was paramount. Every movement was designed to be natural, positive and stress-free. And that’s where our Cooperative Care program proved invaluable.
The bears love having physiotherapy and often wait impatiently at the den doors watching their carers set up their activities!
Care that builds trust
Cooperative Care is at the heart of everything we do. Through positive reinforcement, our bears are empowered to participate in their own healthcare: presenting paws, stepping onto scales, even receiving eye drops voluntarily. Physiotherapy became a natural extension of that trust.
Massage was one of the first physio behaviours trained and quickly became a favourite. Bubu, a gentle older male, enjoys it so much he doesn’t even need treats as encouragement. He simply leans into the brush, eyes half closed, helping himself to a moment of calm.
The bonds built during physio sessions benefit everyone. They improve care outcomes, reduce stress, and deepen the connection between bears and carers.
Like humans, every bear is unique
No two bears are alike, and neither are their physio plans. When Vandrew, a moon bear missing one eye and one forelimb, needed support, our team designed a bespoke exercise just for him.
Using a den-mounted device with a nylon strap, Vandrew was trained to perform a rowing motion using his remaining forelimb – building the strength he needed to thrive as a three-legged bear.
It’s this kind of innovation, grounded in empathy and backed by science, that sets Animals Asia’s sanctuary care apart.
A legacy of healing
From two curious trial participants to a growing cohort of over two dozen bears, our physiotherapy program continues to evolve. It’s already improved the quality of life for 28 bears, and we’re just getting started.
Arthur and Milagro, the pioneers of the program, have since passed away. But their legacy lives on in every bear that now climbs a platform, splashes in a pool, or stretches with confidence and strength.
This is what healing looks like. And it all began with a single, daring idea born in a time of crisis, fuelled by compassion, and brought to life through teamwork, trust, and love.