Asiatic black bear with thick black fur sitting in green grass, looking up with mouth open in an outdoor enclosure.

Grace

From trauma to trust, Grace shows us the power of compassion

Grace was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam. Like so many bears used for bile extraction, she arrived at Animals Asia’s Tam Dao bear sanctuary physically damaged and emotionally broken.

She was completely blind. Her right eye had been surgically removed, and her left eye had a cataract that left her without sight.

But Grace was more than her trauma. Under the fear and frailty was a bear ready to heal.

Brave and beautiful

With her big, curly ruff, short legs, and wide head, Grace is unmistakable. Yellow fur brightens the corners of her lips, giving her a permanent hint of a smile. Despite her disability, Grace has never let blindness limit her life.

Senior vet Shaun Thomson explains: ‘Bears don’t rely heavily on sight. Their primary sense is smell. We’ve cared for many blind bears, and with a few training modifications, they can live just as fulfilling lives as their sighted companions.’

Asiatic black bear inside a painted metal cage, reaching a paw through the bars in an outdoor setting.
Asiatic black bear lying on a green stretcher while rescue personnel prepare for safe transport.
Rescue team carrying an Asiatic black bear on a stretcher through a grassy area during relocation.
Asiatic black bear leaning over a metal tub of water in a grassy outdoor enclosure, mouth open.

World-class healthcare

Grace has received dedicated care from our vet team. She’s had multiple dental procedures, including a permanent root canal by veterinary dental specialist Dr Cedric Tutt. When a draining hole was discovered at the site of a previous extraction, our team acted quickly to repair it.

She’s had her ears cleaned, infections treated, and her teeth monitored closely. While she’s endured chronic ear issues and lost both lower canines, our vet team’s expert care and her own quiet resilience have carried her through each challenge.

Growing confidence

When Grace moved to her own den and enclosure, she was given time to map her new world before being introduced to others. Despite initial grumpiness during some bear introductions, Grace slowly adapted to group life. Her best friend, Luca, often stays by her side, gently guiding her and keeping other bears at bay when needed.

Asiatic black bear sitting on wooden logs in an outdoor enclosure, mouth open as if smiling.
Caregiver feeding an Asiatic black bear inside a metal cage in an indoor animal care facility.
Asiatic black bear resting its head on the edge of a metal tub, tongue sticking out, in a grassy enclosure.
Asiatic black bear relaxing on a woven hammock outdoors, with tongue out, surrounded by grass and wooden posts.

Learning to trust

Grace is part of our Cooperative Care program, which encourages bears to participate in their own care. Her carer, Nguyen Van Hiep, developed special audio cues – using rhythmic footfalls to guide her in place of visual signals. She’s now learned to follow and wait on cue. These small behaviours make a big difference, helping us to effectively manage Grace’s daily routine around her blindness.

Quiet joys and gentle days

Grace prefers a slower pace. She loves her food – especially bananas and watermelon – and takes her time exploring. Some days, she stays inside, curled up in a basket. On others, she ventures outside to feel the sun on her fur and cool grass under her paws. Every choice is hers now.

She continues to live life on her terms – protected, respected and deeply loved.