Making its life more bear-able

Veterinarians from the Animals Asia Foundation checking the health of a sun bear after rescuing it from a family in Nam Dinh province, Vietnam, on Thursday. The animal rights organisation said it will take the bear, which had been bought as a pet sev
PHOTO: REUTERS

Veterinarians from the Animals Asia Foundation checking the health of a sun bear after rescuing it from a family in Nam Dinh province, Vietnam, on Thursday. The animal rights organisation said it will take the bear, which had been bought as a pet seven years ago, to a nearby sanctuary. Despite a government ban, around 1,200 bears are still being kept in captivity for their bile, which is used in traditional medicine.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 20, 2016, with the headline Making its life more bear-able. Subscribe