Happy looking sun bear on a wooden structure in grassy enclosure looking at camera

Innovations in care

At Animals Asia, care doesn’t stand still. With every rescued bear, we learn, adapt, and refine our approach. Over two decades of experience have led us to develop pioneering methods that improve the lives of our bears – and influence animal welfare far beyond our sanctuaries.

Innovation runs through every part of our work: from advanced veterinary procedures and ground-breaking trauma care to our role in training the next generation of animal professionals across Asia.

This page explores how Animals Asia is leading the way in bear welfare through compassionate, groundbreaking solutions.

Leading in veterinary innovation

Animals Asia’s veterinary teams treat some of the most complex cases of neglect and trauma imaginable. Our experience has driven us to innovate in areas including:

  • Custom procedures for gallbladder removal, dental restoration, and orthopaedic support
  • Advanced diagnostics, including portable X-ray and ultrasound units tailored for bears
  • International collaborations with world-class specialists in cardiology, dentistry, and surgery

These advances are not just for our bears – we share techniques and knowledge with vets across Asia to raise the standard of wildlife care everywhere.

Three vets look at the mouth of a moon bear asleep on surgical table
We work closely with Dr Cedric Tutt, a veterinary dental specialist from South Africa

Sanctuary design that evolves with the bears

From soft flooring for older bears to modified dens for those with mobility issues, our sanctuaries are built to evolve. Every structure, enclosure, and enrichment feature has been designed with the bear’s emotional and physical wellbeing at the centre.

  • Rotating enrichment zones to avoid behavioural habituation
  • Customised dens for blind, arthritic, or amputee bears
  • Naturalistic enclosures that promote confidence and curiosity

Each new challenge inspires new solutions – and the learnings from these solutions feed back into our sanctuary design practices.

Moon bear sitting on a wooden swing on grassy enclosure pulling a hanging rope in its mouth from the top of the swing
Two sun bears playing on a tyre swing in a grassy enclosure
A moon bear standing on a wooden climbing frame in an open enclosure looking at camera
A moon bear standing on a wooden structure in a grassy enclosure with a branch in its mouth

Cooperative and compassionate care

Our behavioural approach places the bear’s choice, comfort, and emotional needs front and centre. This includes:

  • Cooperative care training that allows bears to voluntarily participate in their own medical treatment
  • Trauma-informed care developed with input from psychologists and animal behaviourists
  • Case studies like Dawn, a severely traumatised bear whose care program helped shape our wider rehabilitation practices

These methods are increasingly adopted by other animal care institutions and have become a model for compassionate, consent-based care.

Knowledge sharing across Asia

Animals Asia doesn’t keep its expertise to itself. Through partnerships, workshops, and training sessions, we work to elevate animal care standards across the continent.

  • Workshops and seminars for veterinary students, sanctuary teams, and government partners
  • Site visits and hands-on training for external animal welfare groups
  • Online resources and ongoing mentorship for remote partners

This culture of collaboration helps ensure that every rescue, everywhere, has access to the most humane and effective care possible.

Three women in a lush forest holding an enrichment item as one pours honey onto it
An enrichment workshop at Dak Lak elephant sanctuary

Learn more about our world-class animal care