Semi-natural area for bears at the Bear Rescue Centre Vietnam's second branch at Bạch Mã National Park. — VNA/VNS Photo Đỗ Trưởng

THỪA THIÊN HUẾ — The first phase of the Bear Rescue Centre Vietnam's second branch at Bạch Mã National Park was inaugurated on Friday in the central province of Thừa Thiên – Huế by the Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) and the Forest Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The centre includes a veterinary hospital and various zones for bear food preparation, awareness education, and waste treatment, among others along with other infrastructure.

The new facility's construction was started in 2022 and it aims to put an end to bear bile farming by late 2026.

The AAF has provided US$10.5 million in non-refundable aid for this effort.

According to the AAF, there are more than 300 bears being held in farms across the country.

Bears have often been held captive in Việt Nam for their bile, which is thought to have healing effects according to traditional medicine.

According to a representative of the AAF, the organisation has launched a "#nobearleftbehind” hashtag campaign with the goal of rescuing all bears held in captivity in Vietnam.

Since 2006, it has rescued 267 bears from captivity in Việt Nam. — VNS

The cages for the bears. — VNA/VNS Photo Đỗ Trưởng