Trang chủAccording to the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper, on September 10, 2025, at Bach Ma National Park (Thua Thien Hue province), the Forestry and Forest Protection Department – Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with Animals Asia, held the groundbreaking ceremony for phase 2 of the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center. This event is considered a significant milestone, contributing to the realization of the goal of completely ending the practice of keeping bears in captivity for bile extraction in Vietnam by 2026.
Breaking ceremony for phase 2 of the Vietnam Bear Rescue Center at Bach Ma National Park. Photo: mae.gov.vn
Phase 2 of the project has a total capital of over 13.4 billion VND, entirely funded by Animals Asia as a non-refundable grant. The main components include the construction of accommodation for staff and employees, the addition of technical infrastructure, and a visitor center for exhibitions, education, and extracurricular activities. The center is being developed on an area of 12.5 hectares, under a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese Government and Animals Asia since 2017. Previously, Phase 1, which began operating in October 2023, included a veterinary hospital, a 30-day quarantine area, a bear enclosure system, and four semi-natural enclosures. Since then, the center has rescued 19 Asiatic black bears, all voluntarily handed over by local people. This demonstrates the growing community consensus on ending the practice of keeping bears in captivity for bile extraction.
Mr. Nguyen Vu Linh, Director of Bach Ma National Park, shared that the bears currently being held in captivity will be transferred here and will have a better life. Bach Ma National Park now has an additional tourist attraction, a learning model, and enhanced awareness among visitors and the local community about their responsibility and participation in protecting wildlife in general, and bears in particular.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Jill Robinson – Founder and CEO of Animals Asia – affirmed that the expansion of the center demonstrates a long-term commitment to the Government and people of Vietnam. She emphasized that the organization will continue its support until the last bear is rescued, so that the practice of keeping bears in captivity for bile extraction will permanently end in the past