Some areas of the Zoo are CLOSED to allow us to prepare for our Halloween events. ... read more
Until 3rd November, there will be restricted access at Bears of the Rising Sun (lower viewing) and our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
From 14th October 2024, our Woodland Hollow will be closed.
Supporting since 2011
Location
Laos and Cambodia
Support started
2011
Species
Malayan sun bear and moon bear
Mission
Free the Bears (FTB) is working to protect, preserve and enrich the lives of bears throughout the world by offering a safe sanctuary for bears rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
Donations:
Annual donations to help develop the rescue centre in Laos and support their work with the bears.
2024 – 2025:
Pending application
Background
Free the Bears has been working with the Cambodian Forestry Administration to provide a safe sanctuary for bears rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Cambodia since 1997. Today the Cambodian Bear Sanctuary is the worlds’ biggest sanctuary for sun bears, home to rescued bears housed in world-class forest enclosures. Additionally numerous sun bears have been sent to join cooperative breeding programmes in Australasia and Europe, including Colchester Zoo’s own pair of sun bears; Srey Ya and Jo Jo.
Free the Bears has been working in Laos since 2003. Since then, more than 100 bears have been confiscated or have been donated. As a result of strengthened law enforcement efforts, bears have been rescued and relocated to a sanctuary at Luang Prabang. This facility contains a quarantine area, numerous bear houses plus adjoining forest enclosures, including pre-release enclosures to begin the process of trialling the processes required to successfully rehabilitate rescued bears in order to return them to the wild.
Achievements and Objectives
In 2023, construction work commenced on bear houses 8 and 9 and an education facility. The stage 1 cub nursery was renovated with water management facilities and restrooms added, new solar powered security lighting installed throughout the sanctuary and storm damage repaired.
Free the Bears aims to create and support world-class bear sanctuaries managed to the highest level of welfare, to develop alternative sustainable livelihood programmes for the community to prevent impoverished families from exploiting bears for profit, strengthen wildlife law enforcement efforts through advocacy and training, protect wild bear populations through community-led efforts and increased understanding of wild bear populations, and build the capacity of local partners and staff.
