Asian black bear with a light brown snout looks alert while standing in an outdoor enclosure with trees and greenery.

Celeste

A new beginning for a bear who waited 20 years for freedom

Celeste spent two decades trapped in a barren cage on a bear bile farm in Phung Thuong, Hanoi. It’s likely she was taken from the wild as a cub and had to watch her mother being killed by her poachers. 

For 20 long years, Celeste endured a life devoid of comfort, companionship and care. There were no soft beds, no toys, no soothing touches. Just a cold, metal cage and the pain of repeated bile extractions. But in 2024, all that changed. Animals Asia rescued Celeste and two other bears, Romeo and Kenny, bringing them home to our newly opened sanctuary in Bach Ma, Vietnam.

Worker in gloves and mask sprays water to clean the inside of a red cage with green leaves in an animal transport vehicle.
Caregiver in a blue shirt feeds an Asian black bear through the bars of a red metal cage at an animal rescue center.
Asian black bear stands next to an orange woven hammock in a cage, with food placed on the hammock.
Asian black bear sits beside a metal tub outdoors, looking up with paws resting on the edge in a grassy enclosure.

First steps into sanctuary life

From the moment she arrived, Celeste showed signs of both resilience and trauma. During her first days in quarantine, she was cautious, sensitive to new smells and sounds, and hesitant around her carers. But with kindness, patience and plenty of treats, she slowly began to trust.

Celeste’s main carer, Ellie, quickly became her gentle guide, offering delicious snacks, soothing showers and comforting words. Gradually, Celeste allowed us closer. Her favourite foods? Syrup, sugar cane and dried mango. Her favourite pastime? Splashing in the water with utter delight!

Healing begins

After 30 days in quarantine, Celeste had her first full-body health check. Vet Huong noted her surprisingly good condition: a thick, glossy coat, healthy teeth and soft, youthful paws – remarkable for a bear kept in a cage for so long.

But Celeste’s gall bladder, a painful reminder of her past, showed signs of bacterial infection – a result of the illegal bile extractions she’d endured. We began treatment immediately, determined to ease her suffering and offer her the best care possible.

Soon after, Celeste moved into her spacious new den. It was the largest space she’d known in two decades, filled with hessian sacks, puzzle feeders, hanging toys and a refreshing pool. At first, she was wary of other bears. But day by day, her confidence grew.

Asian black bear enjoys a swim in a shallow pool, splashing water in an outdoor grassy enclosure.
Asian black bear stands upright in a grassy enclosure, holding two hanging rubber tires with its paws.
Three Asian black bears play and splash together in a round metal tub filled with water and leaves outdoors.
Asian black bear rests its head and paws on an orange hammock, looking relaxed in an outdoor enclosure.

Friendship and freedom

One of the most heartwarming milestones came when Celeste stepped outside and felt grass beneath her paws. She sniffed the air, looked to the mountains, and bathed in the sunshine. It was a joy to witness.

Then came another magical moment: meeting Kenny. Their first proper introduction after years living side by side on the bile farm, was filled with sniffing, playful swats and mutual curiosity. Celeste – once frightened and withdrawn – was now chasing, wrestling and splashing around, her eyes alight with joy. Soon, Romeo joined their group, and the three bears became inseparable.

They eat together, play together, rest together. And when Kenny or Romeo is unsure, Celeste is the brave one who leads them forward. The three, who once lived side by side in silence and suffering, now thrive in a world of colour, movement and connection.

A future full of promise

Today, Celeste is a confident, healthy bear with a heart full of mischief and a den full of toys and straw. She spends her days foraging, playing on her tyre swing, lounging in the grass, and soaking in her beloved pool.

She has a special bond with her carers and a deep sense of security. She knows she’s in her forever home. Thanks to your love and support, Celeste is no longer just surviving – she’s truly thriving.