DECEMBER 2016 21 YEARS of PROTECTING BEARS INSIDE THIS ISSUE: SPOTLIGHT on the Impact of Bear Bile Farming on Wild Bears FOCUS on Building Progress in Vietnam

FREE THE BEARS NEWSLETTER BEARS’ PRINT

DECEMBER 2016 21 YEARS OF PROTECTING BEARS INSIDE THIS ISSUE: SPOTLIGHT ON the impact of bear bile farming on wild bears FOCUS ON building progress in Vietnam

FREE THE BEARS aims to protect, preserve and enrich the lives of bears throughout the world. MESSAGE FROM MARY

Bamboo and Wandi will be enjoying Christmas together rather than trapped in solitary confinement thanks to being rescued this year Dear Members, Supporters and Friends, It is hard to believe that we are approaching enjoy the cooling effect of splashing around Wishing you all the most fantastic of festive the end of 2016 already - it feels like only in a pool, the thrill of scooting up a tree and seasons and THANK YOU all once again yesterday that we were making the final the hazards of digging too enthusiastically from the bottom of my heart for allowing us preparations for the 21st anniversary and into a termite mound! They will be given to ensure that - for hundreds of bears in our the launch of our Bears Alive! campaign to the chance to do all of this at their own care - every day is like Christmas day! celebrate more than 900 lives freed from pace - enjoying the freedom of choice to fear, pain and exploitation. Over the past go outside or stay indoors, swim or climb, With much love and bear hugs, nine months our wonderful supporters and hopefully to forge new friendships have come up with all manner of inspired with others of their own kind who, like Mary ways to celebrate this milestone - from art them, have survived years of solitude, pain exhibitions to cocktail evenings and even and fear. All of this is dogs in paddling pools. And the end result made possible by the - more happy bears being rescued each incredible generosity of month whilst the hundreds already in our our supporters around Hank - aka Cambodia Rescue 196 - is just one of cubs who will be spending care enjoy a quality of life that I don’t think the world, without your their first Christmas in our care following their rescue in 2016 we could ever have imagined 21 years help absolutely none of ago. We still have a few more months of what we do would be our 21st year ahead of us so if you have possible. I do hope that been considering organising an event for as you work your way Bears Alive! please do - we have achieved through your Christmas so much already but 2017 looks likely to be list this year you will our busiest year ever! spare a thought for the bears - we have a Over the past few months our teams have number of new items begun work on a brand new, world-class available within our sanctuary in Vietnam that will allow bears, merchandise range rescued from bile farms in which they and of course a bear never got to feel the sun on their backs or sponsorship makes the the grass under their feet, to finally learn perfect gift for a loved how to be bears again. Being located one! within a national park (with its own resident population of wild bears!) the new sanctuary will offer these survivors the chance to relearn the skills and behaviours that have been denied to them for so many years. Over time, they will once again learn to page 02 UPDATES Our latest arrival - Cambodia Rescue 197 MESSAGE FROM MARY FROM THE FIELD CAMBODIA We’re at the time of year where our Angel and the new Cub Care Team are on standby for new cub happily feeding. arrivals; we generally see an increase in The cub will remain rescues towards the end of the year as with Angel now for as when he arrived. He was given some food cubs are beginning to move around their long as she is providing care and doing and a quiet place in the Cub Nursery to forest habitat, putting them at risk of the things that a mother bear should be bed down for the night. He had calmed being caught by illegal hunters. However, doing. Cyril meanwhile may have to be considerably by first light and is now our latest cub to arrive was a shock relocated to another house to avoid any thriving under the care of the Cub Nursery to everyone when one of our rescued further mishaps! staff. Moon bears gave birth to twins in the early morning of the 8th November. We deliberately don’t breed our bears at the An unfortunately more regular type of In other news, our research team began Cambodian Bear Sanctuary, we already arrival occurred late on Saturday evening, surveys to improve our understanding of have enough mouths to feed and new the 12th November. A team of rangers public attitudes and behaviours towards cubs are arriving all the time so it would from Wildlife Alliance in the Southern bears and bear part use. The results will be wasteful to take up space for rescued Cardamom National Park had attempted build on our previous work in Laos and bears with further cubs bred in captivity. to apprehend a suspect with a wooden will help us to identify key consumer Accidents do happen though and at some box. The rangers were unsure what was groups and design targeted conservation point in the last 8 months Cyril Sunshine in the box, but closer inspection revealed messaging in order to reduce demand and Angel managed to have a moment a terrified and understandably aggressive for bear bile (and other bear products), to themselves to do what comes naturally Sun bear cub. Unfortunately the offenders helping to keep bears in the wild. The to all species. Angel shares an enclosure had fled the scene, as is all too often the Awareness, Communication & Education with her sister Cookie and for some time case. Aware of the need for haste, the Team were kept busy spreading the it was difficult to tell who was the mother rangers set out on their journey across word with a huge group from our friends as both bears were intent on caring for the the country immediately, arriving at the at Little Planet and the National Public newborns. Unfortunately one of the cubs Cub Nursery at Phnom Tamao Wildlife School of Singapore. By the end of the died shortly after birth, however Angel and Rescue Centre in the early hours of the week-long field trip to our Cambodian Cookie cared for the remaining cub and 13th November. The young male weighed Bear Sanctuary we now have 75 more only after a few days did Cookie finally around 7kg but getting an exact weight dedicated young people joining us on our leave the hammock to find food, leaving was difficult as he was still very upset journey to Free the Bears.

Students from Little Planet ready to return to Singapore as wildlife warriors!

page 03 UPDATES particular just relishing any opportunity to like your average 20-something lad down FROM THE FIELD investigate something new. Work is due to the gym with his buddies! get underway on the first enclosures at the new site before the end of the year and so In amongst all of the activity at the we’re hoping to be in a position to move sanctuary, our team has been continuing at least one group of bears up to the new to work with the Lao authorities to secure sanctuary by April 2017 - allowing these a commitment to phase out bear bile youngsters and all of the other bears at farming once and for all. At the global LAOS Tat Kuang Si the chance to upgrade their CITES conference in South Africa existing enclosures and trade them in for The 38 rescued bears already in our care this September the Lao government bigger homes! in Laos have had a busy year with many announced its intention to phase out tiger of the social groups rearranged to prevent farming in their country - a bold move unwanted pregnancies and prepare for Kung Fu and his trio of friends rescued that won the applause of many in the the transfer of several groups to the new in April of this year continue to delight international community who have been sanctuary. The six cubs rescued between both the visitors and our team with their calling for greater enforcement of the September and November last year are energetic playfulness. In October we were wildlife and aquatic laws. With the support growing bigger by the day and would fortunate to receive a very special wood of several embassies and international certainly benefit from more space to run chipper machine that can be used to turn agencies we have presented a plan to

Our fast-growing cubs are crying out for a brand new home - its all they want for Christmas!

around and play - fortunately these fun- fallen branches into a beautiful mulch phase out bear bile farming in Laos by loving little terrors absolutely love their - just perfect for young bears to snuffle 2020. This could mean upwards of 150 6-metre high climbing frame and spend around in and seek out insect snacks! At bears being rescued over the next three much of their time engaged in some the same time we also received a gigantic years and would obviously require a ursine form of “King of the Castle”, barely 85kg Aussie Dog treat ball - originally significant investment in developing the touching the ground apart from when it is designed as a toy for Polar bears but new sanctuary ready to house the new feeding time! Next door the trio of juvenile clearly nobody told Bobby, Douey, Hauser arrivals but we are confident of this plans girls made up of Tracey Louise, B.B and and Kobe that! Each of the boys has been feasibility and look forward to working with Mii Mii have also been making the most doing his best to show off to his friends our partners in Laos to ensure that bear of some new enrichment toys created by - tossing the ball around, lifting it high bile farming is relegated to history before our team - with Tracey Louise and B.B. in above their heads and generally behaving more bears are lost from Laos’ forests.

page 04 UPDATES With winter fast the wild. However, since Rose’s natural instincts and feisty spirit FROM THE FIELD approaching our are still very much intact, the enclosure needs to be specially Sloth bear residents designed for her. The team is hard at work getting the enclosure at the Agra Bear completed, and we’re excited at the thought of seeing her Rescue Facility are roaming about in the large space soon enough – hopefully in time beginning to feel the for her first year anniversary in our care. slight nip in the air. In the adjoining space, Kirti bear was just re-entering her The evenings are enclosure after a brief hiatus and looking forward to being INDIA colder, encouraging reunited with her friends. Kirti has had a rough couple of weeks most of the bears to as her liver function appeared compromised and she developed retreat indoors to the warmth of their dens, while the friendlier a skin infection that caused her fur to fall out. The veterinarians bears snuggle up together for the night. There’s a noticeable dip treated her immediately, but Kirti had to go through some time in in their activity even during the day, and those that venture out quarantine and be kept under observation before she was finally only do so in search of a little patch of sunshine in which they allowed back into her enclosure. There was lots of sniffing and can take a nap! excited interaction between the bears as she entered for the first time in a while, before she ambled off happily to check out the For the younger bears, however, not even the cold can keep new structural enrichment that had been built since she had left. them from their shenanigans, and our youngest residents can still be seen spending hours on their enrichment structures. Down south, the team at the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre Siblings Bean and Bintha are no exception and remain outdoors recently travelled to Koratagere village where villagers had engrossed in playtime till sundown, encouraged and joined by discovered a wild Sloth bear in terrible pain with a wire snare their new friend Elvis in their play, following his introduction into intertwined around its waist. Her desperate attempts to break their group in September. free had only tightened the cruel implement’s grip, trapping her further. The team had to act fast, tranquilising the bear, freeing it Of course playfulness among the younger bears comes with from the snare and conducting a thorough medical assessment its fair share of playground cuts and bruises, and Pooja bear that assured them that there was no internal damage to the managed to tear her lower lip during a tussle with her friends animal’s body. The external wounds were treated immediately, Kabilan and Kanmani. The veterinarians had to stitch up the and we’re happy to announce that the bear was eventually wound, and poor Pooja had to wait a week for the sutures to heal released back into the wild.

Kirti recovering after her illness

completely, longingly watching the other bears in her enclosure, before being let back in. True to form, Pooja immediately resumed tumbling about in the grass with her buddies, the mishap long forgotten.

Construction is now underway on a new enclosure for a very special bear. Our most recent addition to the bear family at Agra, Rose was rescued in January of this year after a poaching The snared bear receiving treatment prior to re-release snare robbed her of her forelimb and her mother. Although the injuries Rose sustained from the snare made it impossible for her to ever be released into the wild, we are determined to give her a life as close as possible to the one she would have had in

page 05 UPDATES FROM THE FIELD VIETNAM is much like assembling a giant jigsaw Breaking ground and bringing hope to bears in Vietnam! puzzle, all the parts were erected on site and either bolted or welded depending on the schedule from the engineers. This took less than the allotted 2 weeks, the roof (which will eventually become a green roof) was installed on the 31st October and by the 2nd November the prefabricated steel structure was complete.

Thanks again to our friends at BTi, we secured the services of a young architect who will now train the local staff to build the gabion walls by hand – a laborious task but one that will make this building unique. Currently we are on schedule to complete the building from scratch in 3 months. Simultaneously we have a team also working on the outside forest enclosures where the bears will spend the Construction of the new bear sanctuary the concrete to be poured into the waiting majority of their time. in Cat Tien National Park is now in full molds. swing, despite all that the weather gods can throw at us. The first structure to Meanwhile in the existing sanctuary, The heavy rain that lashed the site for be completed will be a 10-den bear the keepers are still working tirelessly the remainder of October was welcomed house with storage area opening up in to to provide the necessary enrichment – wet concrete dries harder than sun- 8,500m2 of rainforest. Thanks to our good required in some of the most difficult baked concrete and after a short time friends at Building Trust international, we circumstances. It has been a long time setting, the molds were removed and are trialing a new method of construction coming, but there is finally light at the end the prefabricated steel structure arrived for our bear houses. The modular design of the tunnel. on site at the end of October. This part and prefabricated skeleton mean that we can custom-build each house to fit the lay of the land – perfect in this hilly and A Sun bear gazes out from its den in the current Cat Tien Bear Rescue Centre - eagerly rugged terrain. Gabion walls will be used awaiting the new sanctuaries completion Credit: Alex Cearns/Houndstooth Studio to bulk out the structure and provide shelter from the elements while allowing the forest to grow back into the building.

Cat Tien National Park Director Mr. Nguyen Dien was on site and ceremoniously struck the ground with the first shovel and, as predicted, from then on construction ran smoothly and efficiently. The extra time in preparing for this phase meant adjustments could be made to the prefabrication of the building to allow for almost all of it to be made off site. The site is remote, everything must cross the river by ferry into the park and climbing the steep terrain of the Elephant Hill meant some heavy machinery was required. The laying of foundations was completed by the 17th October ready for

page 06 Perfect Gifts for Christmas FOCUS - Building Progress in Vietnam After what has at times felt like endless climbing towers, snug caves and a heap of delays, the construction of our world-class enrichment toys adding to the rich diversity new sanctuary in Vietnam is now well of the bears’ new environment. Literally underway - with the first of at least six hundreds of trees will provide shade, planned Bear Houses taking shape and browse and natural fruit for the bears to hopefully ready to welcome its first resi- forage - and we’ve no doubt that at least dents in early 2017. Each Bear House will a few of the trees will become favourite feature roomy dens for the bears to relax climbing posts for our inquisitive ursids! in - with specially crafted hammocks and Construction of Bear House 1 has been nest baskets allowing the bears to enjoy made possible thanks to the generous a level of comfort that is unimaginable to support of our friends at Welttierschutzge- their cousins trapped on bile farms. The sellschaft in Germany, the Primrose Trust dens will be kept cool thanks to an inno- in the UK and the Nola Criddle Foundation vative green roof design, whilst the use of in Australia. It’s a truly international effort local materials throughout will ensure that to give these bears the very best care each building blends into the surrounds of possible! Of course we still have a long way the National Park. to go, with construction of Bear House 2 scheduled to begin just as soon as Bear Stepping outside the bears will enjoy House 1 is completed. With your help we some of the biggest forest enclosures in won’t stop until the last bear is removed No life for a bear - thanks to your support this CHRISTMAS CARDS CUTEST BEAR CUB EVER! the world - up to 10,000m2 with pools, from the farms in Vietnam! year we’ll soon have the chance to bring bears Pack of six, various designs assorted all-purpose greetings cards, featuring our rescued bears. $12 pack of six, $12 each, postage $3, out of cages like this and allow them a second each, postage $3, overseas $5 overseas $5. chance at life!

2017 FREE THE BEARS WALL CALENDAR NEW! Brighten up your days with this beautiful calendar featuring images of our stunning bears enjoying life in our sanctuaries. COST: $23 each POST: $3 Aus, $5 O/S

The new sanctuary encompasses over 10hectares of lush forest for the bears to explore!

The first of the Bear Houses under construction at the new sanctuary in Cat TIen National Park, Vietnam

CALICO BAG COST: $10 each POST: $3 Aus, $5 O/S SPOTLIGHT ON THE IMPACT OF BEAR BILE FARMING ON WILD BEAR POPULATIONS

Sun bear, with Moon bears wild bear populations had declined over particularly targeted for the bile the past 10 years and most specifically farming industry. Working with identifying the period between 1990 and our partners at Animals Asia and 2005 as being the time of most rapid Vinh University in Vietnam, and decline in the numbers of wild bears. with support from experts in the This timeframe coincides perfectly with IUCN Bear Specialist Group, Free the period in which bear bile farming the Bears recently completed a expanded rapidly in Vietnam - from an nationwide survey examining the estimated 500 bears in 1997 to a height status and distribution of wild bear of at least 4,349 bears in 2006. Amongst populations in Vietnam. the 98% of villagers who believed that wild bear populations had declined, hunting Bears are difficult to spot in and trapping was overwhelming believed Southeast Asia's forests at the to be the number one cause for the One of the survivors of Vietnam's bear bile farming best of times, and so our research decline. misadventure - awaiting rescue teams used a method known as Proponents of bear bile farming have Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) Based on our findings it seems clear that long held that the practise helps conserve to quiz villagers living in and around bear allowing the establishment of bear bile wild bears by supplying a pre-existing habitat in order to gauge their opinions on farms in Vietnam has not had a positive demand from consumers in a manner the status of wild bear populations living impact on wild bear populations, and so that doesn't require the killing of wild nearby. In total more than 1,400 villagers we are determined to continue to assist bears for their gall bladders and bile. were surveyed, living in more than 100 the government in its efforts to shut down According to this theory, the demand for villages sited in and around 22 protected the bile farming industry within their bear bile is satisfied through the ongoing areas right across Vietnam. The results country. The number of bears thought draining of caged bears which, when not were astounding with 98% of villagers to be remaining in bile farms is believed being milked for their bile, are able to surveyed stating that they believed that to be around 1,200 individuals today - a reproduce and thus sustain the industry shocking number but already down more in much the same way that the cattle than 70% over the past decade. Through industry works around the world. There is the combined efforts of the members of a certain logic to this theory as of course the Vietnam Bear Working Group and a slaughtered wild bear will only produce government agencies fewer than 300 one serving of bear bile whereas a caged bears have been brought into sanctuaries bear can produced litres over the course over the past decade and so it is clear that of its lifetime, however in order to assess several thousand bears must have already whether this endeavour has indeed helped died (or been killed) without ever having to protect wild bears, we need to look at the chance to feel the grass underneath the impact of bear bile farming on wild their feet once again. We owe it to the bear populations. survivors of this terrible misadventure to double our efforts to bring as many as Vietnam is in a unique position amongst possible into the safety of sanctuaries the six remaining bear bile farming nations whilst ensuring that those bears remaining - having allowed the industry to expand in the wild are given a chance to not only rapidly between the mid-1990's until survive, but hopefully thrive, once again. 2005 and then taking steps to eliminate the trade over the past decade. With a population of over 90million people and a strong culture of using traditional 98% of villagers surveyed said that they believed medicine Vietnam is home to two species that wild bear populations had declined over the of bear, the Moon bear and the smaller past 10 years

page 07 Special Appeal - Hope on the Horizon

To ensure our bears are mentally and physically stimulated, we provide enrichment for them on a daily basis. This can be in the form of Treat Balls, Honey, Hammocks, Health Check, Climbing Tower & Swimming Pools. You will receive a photo & certificate in a folder when you buy a bear a treat.

Please tick (all prices are GST inclusive)

Cambodia Laos India Vietnam Brandy Kham Amitab Hope Shoelace Lom CJ Dewi Vieng Mokiyup Give the gift of Hope this Christmas - by sponsoring Hope the Moon bear you’ll be helping us end the suffering of bears in Vietnam’s bile farms.

Please tick (all prices are GST inclusive)

No-one knows where Hope was born... enclosure at Cat Tien. Contrary to expec- receive everything she needs to continue she and seven other Moon bear cubs tations Hope has amazed us all with her her rehabilitation, you’ll also be helping were seized from a wildlife traders house fondness for climbing atop the platforms us create a world-class home for ALL of in the Central Highlands of Vietnam where she can sunbathe and enjoy a the bears at Cat Tien National Park, plus thirteen years ago in December 2003. cooling breeze. She really does show us many more awaiting our help in Vietnam. Being close to the border of Laos, it is just how resilient these bears are - given Sponsors will receive a beautiful photo quite likely that she was stolen from the the chance they will seize life with both pack and certificate along with an update forest and illegally trafficked across the paws (or whatever they have left!) on Hope’s progress and news from the border from Laos, stuffed into cases sanctuary. placed underneath public buses or With construction of our new sanctuary carried across the porous border under now well underway we are preparing to So this Christmas, please consider giving the cover of night. Her entire front right move the first group of bears up to the the gift of Hope to one of your loved ones, foot is missing, along with all but one of new site - getting them out of dens and and we’ll spread the love amongst many her toes on her left foot, meaning that into a world-class environment that will more bears in Vietnam! she was almost certainly captured using allow them to blossom just like Hope has. a wire snare and would have been in We’ll also be able to start rescuing more excruciating pain for a long time. Like bears currently trapped in bile farms anyone in pain, she was very defensive across Ho Chi Minh City and southern of herself, earning her the nickname of Vietnam. The rehabilitation process for “Miss Grumpy” when we first met her. these bears can take weeks, months or even years - the most important thing is Hope has come a long way over the past that we allow the bears to take things one 13 years - from huddling in the corner step at a time, and always at their own of her den afraid of coming outside she pace. has blossomed into an inquisitive and adventurous bear. She interacts with the By sponsoring Hope for just AU$200 for other female Moon bears in her group six months or AU$400 for a year, you’ll every day as they explore the forest not only ensure that Hope continues to Perfect Gifts for Christmas FOCUS - Building Progress in Vietnam After what has at times felt like endless climbing towers, snug caves and a heap of delays, the construction of our world-class enrichment toys adding to the rich diversity new sanctuary in Vietnam is now well of the bears’ new environment. Literally underway - with the first of at least six hundreds of trees will provide shade, planned Bear Houses taking shape and browse and natural fruit for the bears to hopefully ready to welcome its first resi- forage - and we’ve no doubt that at least dents in early 2017. Each Bear House will a few of the trees will become favourite feature roomy dens for the bears to relax climbing posts for our inquisitive ursids! in - with specially crafted hammocks and Construction of Bear House 1 has been nest baskets allowing the bears to enjoy made possible thanks to the generous a level of comfort that is unimaginable to support of our friends at Welttierschutzge- their cousins trapped on bile farms. The sellschaft in Germany, the Primrose Trust dens will be kept cool thanks to an inno- in the UK and the Nola Criddle Foundation vative green roof design, whilst the use of in Australia. It’s a truly international effort local materials throughout will ensure that to give these bears the very best care each building blends into the surrounds of possible! Of course we still have a long way the National Park. to go, with construction of Bear House 2 scheduled to begin just as soon as Bear Stepping outside the bears will enjoy House 1 is completed. With your help we some of the biggest forest enclosures in won’t stop until the last bear is removed No life for a bear - thanks to your support this CHRISTMAS CARDS CUTEST BEAR CUB EVER! the world - up to 10,000m2 with pools, from the farms in Vietnam! year we’ll soon have the chance to bring bears Pack of six, various designs assorted all-purpose greetings cards, featuring our rescued bears. $12 pack of six, $12 each, postage $3, out of cages like this and allow them a second each, postage $3, overseas $5 overseas $5. chance at life!

2017 FREE THE BEARS WALL CALENDAR NEW! Brighten up your days with this beautiful calendar featuring images of our stunning bears enjoying life in our sanctuaries. COST: $23 each POST: $3 Aus, $5 O/S

The new sanctuary encompasses over 10hectares of lush forest for the bears to explore!

The first of the Bear Houses under construction at the new sanctuary in Cat TIen National Park, Vietnam

CALICO BAG COST: $10 each POST: $3 Aus, $5 O/S GETINVOLVED ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our thanks go out to everyone who has lent us their support over the past year - with the Membership Means So Much! Memberships play a vital role for the fund. Membership fees number of bears in our care continuing to cover our minimal administrative costs, thereby allowing 100% of donations to go directly to grow and our field programmes expanding the bears. This helps guarantee the bears in our various sanctuaries around the world a safe, to ensure that wild bear populations are peaceful and happy existence. 1-year and 3-year Memberships are available now, but please protected, we really do mean it when we say consider our Life Memberships to show your commitment to the bears. All members will receive that we can only change the lives of bears a complimentary Raju soft toy, certificate and invitations to exclusive Free the Bears events. thanks to our incredible supporters! You Costs for membership are just Initial $60 – Renewal $35 – Life $325 encourage us, you inspire us, and you drive us to want to achieve so much more every day Sunday, 18th December, 1-4pm for the bears. DECEMBER - COMING EVENTS Raffles, door prizes and an auction plus of course a Of course, the bears in our sanctuaries require care 365 days a year and so many WA great range of vegetarian and vegan delights! Tickets of our team will be working over the festive ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING $50 per person. Contact Jeanette for bookings 0421 season - sacrificing time with family to spend Perth Zoo Lecture Theatre 109 166 with our expanded fur-family! A huge thank Friday 2nd December 2016, 2pm-5pm you to each and every one of our staff - all of Come join us for our AGM and hear updates on all our JANUARY 2017 you play a vital role in making Free the Bears programmes over 2016 - our busiest year yet! what it is today, and we’re incredibly blessed to have so many talented and devoted people WA WA working so hard for the bears. Our Board of Hainault Vineyard and Cafe, 255 Walnut Road, VOLUNTEER CHRISTMAS PARTY Directors in Australia and Board of Trustees Japanese Gardens, Perth Zoo Bickley in the UK provide constant support and Friday 2nd December 2016, 6pm-9pm 21st January 2017 5.30 – 9pm guidance, all on a voluntary basis and often Wine, nibbles and updates on the latest news from Join us for an exquisite 3-course dinner plus wine juggled amongst busy careers and lives. We don’t say thank you enough, but we truly our sanctuaries plus a chance to reflect on everything and live music under the stars at this special event to appreciate everything that you do to help that has been accomplished over the past year for our help raise funds for the new sanctuaries in Vietnam grow our organisation into something that we bears! and Laos. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options can all be very proud of. Finally - a Christmas message for the bears. NSW available (with notice). Tickets $68 each - please call For those of you already with us, we’re sorry CHRISTMAS PARTY the Perth office on 08 9244 1066 or email office@ that we weren’t able to protect you before Lentil as Anything, 391 Kings Street, Newtown freethebears.org.au before 17th January! you fell victim to the illegal wildlife trade but we promise to make sure that you are given the very best of care for as long as you need it. And for those bears still suffering out there and in need of our help, we promise to redouble our efforts in 2017 to make sure that you have reason to hope. The challenges that lie ahead are many, but none of them are insurmountable and we know that with good people behind us we CAN change the world! Photographic credits for this newsletter are due to Alex Cearns, Peter Yuen, Wildlife SOS and FTB staff and volunteers. Cover Photo: Currently many of the bears at Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam are MAKING A MONTHLY DONATION TO SUPPORT OUR restricted to their dens for up to 20 hours per BEARS day. Once the new sanctuary is completed With more bears arriving at our sanctuaries each month, many of them suffering the bears will finally be able to enjoy the new from terrible injuries sustained at the hands of their captors, monthly donations natural forest enclosures 24/7. Image by Alex Cearns of Houndstooth Studio are a great way to help provide for their care. Each tin of milk formula (essential for orphaned cubs) costs $15 while $30 helps provide honey and other tasty PLEASE HELP US SAVE ON POSTAGE AND PAPER by treats for a rescued Moon bear for a week. Monthly donations help you to receiving the FTB newsletter and receipts via your plan your finances more easily, and help us to budget for the ongoing care of email. If your current email has changed or if you bears that require life-long support. Just contact Jeannie in our Perth office have a new email address, please send it our way. on [email protected] if you’d like to know how to set up monthly You’ll be helping us and the environment at the donations. same time. Email your details to [email protected].

FREE THE BEARS FUND INC. FREE THE BEARS UK PO Box 1393, Osborne Park DC , WA 6916, Australia PO Box 6395, Basildon, Essex, SS14 0NY

Tel: +61 (08) 9244 1096 Tel: +44 (0) 7785 552856 Fax: +61 (08) 9244 4649 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Charity Number: 1135682 Charity Number: A1004507U ABN: 23 763 253 031 FREE THE BEARS SE ASIA REGIONAL OFFICE PO Box 723, Phnom Penh, Cambodia This newsletter is printed on recycled paper chlorine free. Re-life 50% Patrons: Dr Harry Cooper BVSc MRCVS C.M. and Founder & Chairperson: Mary Hutton Maneka Gandhi. CEO: Matt Hunt