GENERAL PRESS STATEMENT

Pictures of individual bears in Ben Tre before being rescued. (Photo provided by FOUR PAWS Viet)

1. Thanks to the efforts of the Center for Nature Education (ENV), FOUR PAWS, World Animal Protection, in collaboration with Forest Protection Departments in Ben Tre, Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces. Bear owners volunteered to hand over captive bears, on November 15, 2018, FOUR PAWS Viet rescue team with Dr. (Ms.) Johanna Painer, veterinarian of FOUR PAWS International successfully rescuing 2 bears that have been kept in long-term captivity in Ben Tre and Dong Nai. Currently, these two bears have been safely transported to Ninh Binh Bear Conservation Facility after a 1,900km journey with more than 70 hours of moving. With the handover of the last captive bear in Ben Tre province to FOUR PAWS Viet, Ben Tre became the 23rd site in the country to no longer bear bile farms. Nationwide, there have been 18 bears successfully transferred to bear rescue centers and conservation facilities since the beginning of the year.

2. Immediately after rescuing two bears in Ben Tre and Dong Nai, the FOUR PAWS Viet rescue team and veterinarian Johanna Painner left Lam Dong to rescue one of the bear dogs kept in the resort. Prenn waterfall schedule, ward 3, Da Lat city, Lam Dong. This 16-year-old dog bear was examined by the veterinarians of FOUR PAWS as soon as he was rescued from a concrete cage for many years. Exam results show that the bear has many health problems such as cirrhosis and cholecystitis. However, according to veterinarian Johanna Painer, the bear's health was relatively stable during and after the examination. Veterinarian Johanna Painner also said that, after being given anesthetic shot to be taken out for a medical examination before being taken to Ninh Binh Bear Conservation Facility, this bear had regained consciousness quickly and showed no signs of expression. What about health abnormalities. Just 5 hours after the FOUR PAWS Viet rescue team left the Prenn waterfall tourist area, this bear suddenly started bleeding from the nose and mouth and began showing shortness of breath soon after. Despite being rapidly infused and supplied with oxygen by the veterinarians of FOUR PAWS, and using other aggressive treatments, this individual bear did not survive the critical illness and died in the the grief of the rescue team, working continuously for 12 hours to save the bear's life. We understand the risks that can arise during the rescue operation of the bear, which is not only a matter of us from putting ourselves in difficult and adverse situations but also being able to happen The rescue attempt was not as successful as this bear's. We are also currently working with authorities and researchers of the Animal Health Institute to find out the cause of death of the bear.

3. The coalition of bear protection NGOs (Center for Nature Education (ENV), FOUR PAWS, World Animal Protection organization) welcomes the efforts of localities in terminating activities. captive bear. With three provinces (Ninh Binh, Can Tho and Ben Tre) successfully finishing their journey on the absence of captive bears from the beginning of the year, the model of no captive bears has been initiated by a group of organizations Show your effectiveness and the right direction.

4. According to the latest statistics from the Forest Protection Department, as of the end of July 2018, in Vietnam there are about 780 bears kept outside the rescue centers across the country. Vietnam currently has 3 international-standard rescue centers, dedicated to bears that are willing to accept bears transferred voluntarily, including the Ninh Binh bear conservation facility of FOUR PAWS, China. Center for bear rescue in Vietnam at Tam Dao National Park and Bear Rescue Station in Cat Tien National Park.