Animal Welfare Netherlands Project #68858

World Animal Protection

by World Animal Protection Netherlands

Project Report | May 13, 2026
Help Rescue the Last 150 Bile Bears in Vietnam

By Rosa Wortelboer | Fundraising officer

Bear na - credits Four paws

For twenty long years, a bear named Na lived trapped inside a tiny iron cage on a bile farm in Vietnam. The cage was so small she could barely turn around. Day and night, she was confined to a dirty, brightly lit space.
Every single day, bile was extracted from her gallbladder — a painful and invasive procedure used in traditional medicine, despite no proven benefits.
Bear Na lost a paw. Her teeth were broken and infected. She watched five other bears slowly die in cages next to her.

She was not expected to survive. But Na’s story has a hopeful ending.
Thanks to compassionate supporters, she was rescued and taken to a sanctuary run by FOUR PAWS. For the first time in her life, she could stretch her legs, feel the sun on her fur, and enjoy simple things — like her favorite treat: watermelon.
People like you made her rescue possible.

But 150 Bears Are Still Suffering
Right now, around 150 bears in Vietnam are still enduring the same pain and fear that Na once faced.
Every day matters for these animals. They urgently need your help.
Together, we can ensure that the last bile bears are rescued and given the life they deserve — a life without suffering.

Progress Is Being Made

Bile bear farming has been banned in South Korea since January this year
In China, we are working with traditional medicine companies to develop alternatives
In Vietnam, more than 150 bears have already been rescued
A national microchipping and monitoring system is now in place

This system helps identify illegal farms and encourages owners to surrender bears to sanctuaries.

But We’re Not There Yet
Twenty years ago, around 4,300 bears suffered on bile farms in Vietnam. Today, about 150 remain.
But every single bear still suffering is one too many.

Your Support Makes Rescue Possible
With your help, we can rescue the remaining bears and bring this cruel practice to an end.
Here’s what your donation can do:

€208 – Enables an inspection team to visit farms and take steps toward rescuing bears
€54 – Supports the safe removal and transport of rescued bears to sanctuaries
€29 – Helps educate farmers and encourage them to stop using bile bears
€14 – Funds portable microchip scanners to identify unregistered bears and initiate rescue

Together, We Can End This
The day when no bear has to suffer on a bile farm is within reach. But we can only get there together.

Will you help rescue the last 150 bears and give them the life they deserve?

Donate today and make a difference.

Bear na in cage - credits Four paws Vietnam

Bear Na rescued - Credits Four Paws Vietnam

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