Huge Operation to Save Moon Bears Is a Success!

One hundred and one moon bear traveled 1,200 km across China, from a breeding and bile extraction facility to a bear rescue center, as part of the largest operation of its kind to save the imposing carnivoran mammals.

“We’ve rescued hundreds of bears over the years, but no one has ever attempted anything on this scale before, bringing so many bears home to sanctuary in a single operation,” says Jill Robinson, founder, and CEO of Animals Asia. “After nearly eight long years of waiting, and a lifetime of suffering, we can finally give these beautiful bears the lives they deserve,” adds Ryan Marcel Sucaet, Animals Asia’s China Bear & Vet Team Director.

The moon bears left Nanning in three convoys of nine trucks, each carrying up to four transport cages. The impressive operation was made in three phases, and each part took more than 55 hours before the precious cargo reached Chengdu, some 1,200 km away. Once at the rescue, the bears were slowly introduced into their new life and monitored to make sure that their mental and physical wellbeing was optimal before releasing them in the sanctuary with other bears.