16 of 18 Bear Cubs Rescued in Laos Survive Brutal Wildlife Trafficking

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Environmental Police in Laos rescued 18 bear cubs from illegal wildlife traders, marking one of the largest rescues of its kind.

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Five dedicated Taronga Zoo keepers flew to Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary to create enriched habitats for traumatized cubs.

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Free the Bears charity has rescued 34 bears so far in 2024, stretching resources to their limits.

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Traffickers targeted vulnerable sun bears and moon bears, both species fighting against extinction due to hunting and habitat loss.

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The cubs witnessed their mothers being killed before ending up in the hands of wildlife traders targeting bear bile farms.

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Zookeeper Tamara Gillies recalls rescuing her first sun bear "Mr Hobbs" from becoming bear paw soup at a Cambodian restaurant.

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The sanctuary team built hammocks, barrel rafts, and specialized dens to help cubs rediscover natural behaviors.

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Sixteen of the eighteen rescued cubs survived their ordeal, highlighting the brutal reality of wildlife trafficking.

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The Luang Prabang facility expanded its rescue mission to include highly trafficked pangolins and leopard kittens.

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Many rescued animals lack survival skills for release, requiring permanent sanctuary care.

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Taronga zookeepers plan to make annual trips to Laos, committing to long-term support for rescued wildlife.

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