Rescued Moon Bears from South Korea Find Forever Home in UK

Five moon bears, who endured decades in cages on illegal bile farms in South Korea, have been successfully relocated to Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park in Suffolk, England. The animals were transported 5,500 miles (8,850km) to their permanent new home by the park's founder, Jimmy Doherty, and his charity, Space for the Wild.

The bears were rescued from one of South Korea's last remaining bear bile farms, a practice now banned in the country. The park has created a dedicated reserve for them, featuring ample space for climbing, swimming, and resting amidst trees and grass.

Highlights

• Five moon bears traveled 5,500 miles (8,850km) from South Korea to their new home in the UK.
• The bears had been held in poor conditions on illegal bile farms, a practice now outlawed in South Korea.
• Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park has established a custom-built sanctuary designed to mimic their natural habitat.
• A fundraising campaign for the rescue effort has raised over £90,000 towards its goal.

Details

The rescued bears, named Bara, Rumi, Saebit, Yonggi, and Huimang, arrived on Thursday. Jimmy Doherty, founder of the wildlife park, expressed his profound emotional response to their plight. "I will never forget meeting the bears for the first time," he stated. "It made us all the more determined and focused on our mission - to get these bears safe, protected and living a profoundly better life."

To support the rescue and establishment of the bears' new habitat, the park launched a fundraising campaign. So far, over £90,000 has been collected, with a target of £200,000. South Korea banned the breeding and possession of bears, as well as the extraction of bile from their gallbladders, last year. Bear bile was historically used in traditional medicines, and the bears were often kept in deplorable conditions.

Why it matters

This rescue operation is a significant step forward for animal welfare and the fight against illegal wildlife trade. Providing a second chance at life for these bears, who suffered for years, serves as an inspiring example for animal rights advocates. Furthermore, South Korea's decision to ban bear bile farms contributes to global efforts to end such cruel practices.