Free the Bears

In 2007, we welcomed our Sun Bears, Bopha and Jamran to their forever home here at the Zoo.

Both bears had been rescued as cubs from harsh beginnings, by our conservation partner Free the Bears.

Free the Bears has helped rescue over 1,000 Sun Bears, Moon Bears, and Sloth Bears, and provide ongoing care to hundreds of rescued Sun Bears and Moon Bears at the sanctuaries they operate across Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Since we partnered with Free the Bears in 2007, we have supported the mapping of wild bear populations throughout Indochina, scholarships for local conservation biologists, and support to communities living close to wild bear habitat.

Through our partnership we also supported the first ever bear veterinary workshop in Laos, bringing together a community of specialist wildlife veterinarians to share ideas, discuss common challenges and protocols.

We also helped with the construction of a brand-new four-bedroom accommodation unit at Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary in Laos, to allow for more conservation work and critical research that directly impacts the protection of bears.
Our friends in the field conduct super valuable research into the use of bear bile, as well as unlock mysteries around the current status of wild bear populations.

Learn more about Sun Bears. 

How you can help

Help Perth Zoo save wildlife by donating today!

Your donation will support our critical conservation work, protecting wildlife globally.

100% of your tax-deductible donation will help protect wildlife as Perth Zoo covers all donation administration costs.