Free The Final Bears
The final chapter in stopping bear bile farming in Vietnam
Over the last 25 years, Animals Asia has made tremendous progress in Vietnam, rescuing nearly 300 bears from the suffering and exploitation of bile farming, and providing them with a life of safety, peace and joy at our world-class sanctuaries.
Now, we’re entering the final – and hardest – chapter.
These next years will be critical, as we work in partnership with the government to release the final bears from the remaining bile farming strongholds, and increase our outreach and educational work to ensure that no bear is farmed for bile in Vietnam ever again.
Support our rescue efforts
Your donation is vital to the continuation of our work to rescue the final bears and end the cruel bear bile farming industry for good in Vietnam.
Donate today
Buy a Free The Final Bears t-shirt
Mark the beginning of the final stages of ending bear bile farming in Vietnam.
Buy now
Frequently asked questions
The tradition of hunting and killing wild bears to obtain bile from their gallbladders has been part of Vietnamese culture for centuries. In the 1980s, mass bear bile farming was introduced and legalised. Thousands of bears were poached, registered, microchipped, and caged to endure a lifetime of repeated bile extraction. In 1992, wildlife poaching and bear bile extraction was outlawed – but it remained legal for farmers to keep the bears they already owned.
Bear ownership remains legal in Vietnam to this day, meaning we can’t simply take bears without their owners’ consent.
Of the 290+ bear rescues Animals Asia has carried out in Vietnam, every one has been the result of establishing relationships and building trust with bear owners, and persuading them to release their bears into our care.
But as we inch towards the end of our decades-long mission to rescue the last survivors of the bear bile industry and end it for good, we’re facing increasing resistance from some owners – many of whom love their bears and consider them part of the family.
The campaign to change the hearts and minds of communities where bear bile farming has been entrenched for centuries – our hardest mission to date – has begun.
The bears are legally owned and kept on private property. Entering a private home without consent is against the law.
Animals Asia always works with kindness and respect. Forcing the removal of bears would damage the trust we’ve built with local communities and governments across Asia. It could also close the doors to future collaboration, harming not just bears in Vietnam, but animals everywhere.
Our approach is painstaking – but it’s the only approach that works long term. We rely on patience, education, and partnership to create permanent change for animals.
Many of the remaining bear owners have had their bears for over 20 years – these bears were often brought into families as cubs. Some owners see them as part of the family, and they worry about what will happen to them if they surrender them to Animals Asia.
That’s why we focus on building trust. We invite bear owners to visit our sanctuaries, meet our staff and see for themselves how well the bears are cared for. Every time one family hands over their bear, others in the community are inspired to follow.
Our strategy to end bear bile farming in Vietnam
Finish construction of our world-class Bach Ma Bear Rescue Centre, home to Vietnam’s last bile bears.
Rescue the final bears and bring them to our sanctuaries, through continued collaboration with the government, communities and farmers.
Provide exceptional, life-long care to all bears rescued to our sanctuaries.
End demand for bile to protect bears in Vietnam, both now and in the future.
What's already changed
291 bears rescued from bile farms in Vietnam
46 of 63 provinces bear bile free
Two bear sanctuaries built on government-gifted land
Support for ending bear bile farming in Vietnam at record high
Get the latest news on our campaign
-
Another Vietnamese province becomes bear bile farming free
We’re delighted to share the news that another precious moon bear has arrived at our Bach Ma sanctuary, signalling the end of bear bile farming in another Vietnamese...
-
2026: the year agreement must turn into action
2026 must be the year agreement turns into action for Vietnam’s last bile bears. In this first campaign update, our CEO Jill Robinson explains why waiting is now...
-
Celebrities unite to help Free the Final Bears in Vietnam
Celebrities are standing with Animals Asia to help free the last bears in Vietnam – and their support is inspiring a global movement.
A respectful path to lasting change
Learn about Animals Asia's approach to ending bear bile farming - from compassionate collaboration with local communities to building respectful partnerships with government officials.
-
Ending bear bile farming Vietnam
We're ending bear bile farming in Vietnam through rescue, education and government partnership.
-
Our work
We’re ending bear bile farming in Vietnam and creating a kinder future for animals across Asia.
-
Bear Sanctuaries
At our award-winning sanctuaries rescued bears begins a new chapter filled with care, freedom and healing.
Animals Asia has spent over 20 years lobbying for stronger wildlife laws, working alongside government partners, educating communities, shifting public attitudes, building sanctuaries, training teams, and creating spaces where rescues can happen.
For more than 20 years, Armstrong lived trapped in a tiny cage on a bear bile farm – alone, in pain, and terrified.
Day after day, he endured a life no animal should ever know. And heartbreakingly, bears like Armstrong are still suffering right now.
But change is possible – and it’s happening.
In 2023, Armstrong was rescued and brought to safety at Animals Asia’s sanctuary.
At first cautious, he soon began to explore, feeling grass beneath his paws for the very first time. Today, he spends his days playing, resting, and hanging out with his friend, Buzz.
Armstrong’s story is one of survival. But more are still waiting. As the last bears on bile farms face uncertain futures, it’s a race against time to end their suffering forever.
With your help, we can reach them in time – and give them the life they deserve.
Help us put an end to animal cruelty
Animals are being captured and exploited every day. Animals Asia has helped thousands, but there is always another animal in need of our help. Please donate today.
Donate now