Moon bear behind bars with its arm outstretched in an arm hold as a bear carer feeds them fruit and another wraps a blood pressure sleeve around its arm.

Cooperative Care – a life of choice and trust

At Animals Asia, healing goes beyond medicine. Our pioneering Cooperative Care program is built on trust, choice, and connection.

It’s a gentle, science-backed approach that empowers bears to actively participate in their own care – transforming fear into trust, and trauma into healing.

Through positive reinforcement and patience, bears learn to voluntarily take part in health checks, claw trims, blood draws and more – often through the bars of their enclosures, without sedation.

It’s better for the bears, and safer for everyone.

A sun bear stands behind bars while an animal carer holds her hand up to illustrate the command to wait.
An example of a foundation behaviour, sun bear Goldie has learned to ‘wait’.

Why it matters

These bears have survived unimaginable cruelty. Many arrived at our sanctuaries terrified of human contact.

Cooperative Care rebuilds their confidence, fosters emotional resilience, and reduces the need for anaesthesia and restraint – lowering stress and improving long-term health.

When an animal willingly performs a desired behaviour, they receive something rewarding, creating a sense of trust and collaboration between them and their caregiver.

Sarah van Herpt Veterinary and Behavioural Husbandry Services Director

A moon bear stands upright behind bars while two animal carers use laser to treat a skin condition.
A moon bear behind bars touches its nose to a ball on a long pole which is held by an animal carer.
A moon bear stands behind bars with its mouth wide open and a human hand mirrors the bears' mouth.
A moon bear stands behind bars while two animal carers withdraw blood from their arm through a metal arm brace.

What Cooperative Care looks like

  • Bears stepping up for weigh-ins

  • Presenting a paw for a health check

  • Calmly receiving eye drops or ear care

  • Moving into transport cages voluntarily

  • Participating in gentle physiotherapy

 

A moon bear stands behind bars with its forearm stretched out as one animal carer feeds them treats while another trims the bears' claws.
Maple offers her paw for a claw trim