23/03/2026
On world bear day I thought I’d share a couple of photos from Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh in Vietnam. The project was established in 2017 by the global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS. The sanctuary is mainly home to Asiatic black bears which have been rescued from bile farming and the illegal wildlife trade.
Bear bile is a fluid which is extracted from a bears gallbladder to be used in traditional medicine. The bile contains a large amount of ursodeoxycholic acid which can help humans with liver or gallbladder problems. However, this acid can also be produced synthetically in a lab or by using plants, making bear bile farming completely unnecessary.
The bile is drained either via a catheter, syringe or pipe inserted into the gallbladder. It is a painful process where the bears are often sedated or restrained. They are kept in tiny cages and are starved, dehydrated and many suffer from disease. This can be their reality for up to 30 years.
Bear bile farming is now illegal in Vietnam and thanks to the efforts of organisations like Four Paws, Animals Asia and Free the bears, the industry has nearly been eradicated here. It is thought that only around 150 bears are still being exploited in the country, compared to over 4,000 in 2005.
46 bears now have a new lease of life at the Sanctuary. They have large enclosures where they can roam freely, forage for food and rediscover their natural instincts. They have pools where they can cool off, high platforms and dens to relax in. The bears that can share enclosures enjoy playing and interacting with each other.
Although the situation is positive in Vietnam, over 10,000 bears are still trapped in bile farms across Asia, predominantly in China. By supporting organisations trying to end this cruel practice, hopefully one day all bears will be able to experience the freedom they deserve.
ninhbinh .international
