Buzz the rescue bear will start 2024 with grass between his toes.
The once neglected animal is one of the first bears to move into Animals Asia’s new sanctuary in Vietnam’s Bach Ma National Park.
According to Animals Asia, the organization rescued the bear from a bear bile farm in October after receiving a call from Vietnamese authorities about a bear bile farmer wanting to surrender his animals.
When Animals Asia arrived at the farm, the nonprofit’s rescuers found Buzz and another bear, Armstrong, in “small, barren, dark cages,” where they were receiving regular, painful bile extractions.
“Conditions on these bile farms are inhumane and unsanitary. Bile bears are often kept in very small cages where they cannot turn around or stand up. The bears grow up in these tiny cages to the point where their bodies have shrunk to fit the bars,” an Animals Asia spokesperson said in a statement.
One of the last pandas in the USA predicts the winner of the Peach Bowl in college football
The rescuers moved the bears from their cages for the first time since 2002 and transported them to the sanctuary. After the bears settled in, they went through a 30-day quarantine.
“This is to keep them in intensive care, to carefully monitor their mental and physical health. The quarantine period is also important to prepare them for access to dens and housing with other bears, to help them gradually regain their strength and confidence.” , Animals Asia shared.
In December, after a period of quarantine and treatment for dehydration, dental problems and malnutrition, Buzz got the chance to see her large outdoor habitat at the sanctuary for the first time.
Animals Asia caught the moment on camera. In the clip, Buzz cautiously pokes his head out of his burrow into a large grassy enclosure. After careful sightseeing, the bear paws out into the sunlight and enjoys the outdoors.
Buzz the fur seal resting in its den at the Animals Asia Sanctuary in Bach Ma National Park, Vietnam.
Animals of Asia
A few days later, the rescuers reintroduced Buzz to Armstrong, another rescued bear who lived on the same farm as Buzz.
“There is such a deep and special bond between the two of them. Indeed, Armstrong and Buzz have been on the farm together for over 20 years without any direct interaction, but they always feel each other’s presence. The first time they met, they cuddled after our team pulled the slides door. They both got very excited as if the couples had been separated for too long, finally meeting after all the longing and love,” said Animals Asia.
Unusually tiny 15-pound bear found in suburban Arizona and now living at Bearizona Wildlife Park
Buzz and Armstrong now live as den buddies, keeping each other company and enjoying the spoils of their caring new home together. Buzz has shown her caretakers that she loves honey and strawberry jam and enjoys a good nap after a snack.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/bear-enjoys-first-time-outdoors-2-122723-9a921c676b124fb78f344f67b2e5987e.jpg)
Buzz the fur seal resting in its den at the Animals Asia Sanctuary in Bach Ma National Park, Vietnam.
Animals of Asia
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Animals Asia hopes that rescuing bears like Buzz and sharing their stories will raise awareness of how bear bile farming affects bears. Moon and sun bears, species commonly used in gall farming, are nearing extinction in Vietnam, with an estimated 31% decline over the past 30 years, according to the organization.
To learn more about Animals Asia, including how to help bears like Buzz, visit the organization’s website.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education