“It’s very challenging for authorities to fully implement the law.”

Most of the rescued bears at Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary are moon bears, or Asiatic black bears. The species is most commonly found in bear bile farms (though sun bears are also targeted) because their range has the greatest intersection with the markets in which bear bile demand exists. Moon bears also produce high levels of UDCA.

Room for improvement

As there are relatively fewer sun bears in Laos, Mary is the first to be taken to the sanctuary, after she’s outgrown Matt’s house. “She doesn’t stay in one spot for more than two seconds,” says Giles, as he watches the cub skid across Matt’s kitchen floor and clamber on his furniture. “Mary’s spent her life so far in a horrendous cage, so she’s enjoying getting out and exploring.” In 2016, the Laos government made a commitment to put more effort into closing commercial wildlife farms, and in 2018, a Prime Minister’s Order strengthened protections against hunting and trade in bears and other wildlife in the country. Authorities are working with Free the Bears to implement the laws and close down the remaining bear farms in Laos: there are about eight left, containing 120–130 bears.

“Our government partners had often talked of the difficulties enforcing the law without rescue centres available for wildlife,” says Sengaloun Vongsay, known as Tak, who is Laos programme manager for Free the Bears. “In 2003, they reached out to us to help them create a safe home for three bear cubs they had rescued from illegal wildlife traders.”

For years, Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre was the only official wildlife rescue centre in Laos, with a holding capacity of about 25 bears and no room for expansion, due to its location in a protected forest. When finished, the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary will cover 25ha and provide facilities for up to 150 bears and other species.

“The development of this sanctuary has led to a demonstrable increase in activity on the part of national and provincial authorities to take action against those illegally holding wildlife,” says Tak. “In 2019, a record number of 18 bears were rescued and in the past three years 41 bears have been rescued, versus 43 bears in the 14 years prior.

“Without anywhere to place confiscated wildlife, it’s very challenging for authorities to fully implement the law. The Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary gives us sufficient facilities to accept bears from bile farms and end this despicable practice in Laos forever.”