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Laos is one of the poorest countries in the world, yet it is still rich in
wildlife. Its mountainous terrain and pristine forests provide a home to both
Sun bears and Asiatic black bears, although very little is known about the
number of bears remaining in the wild in Laos.
Widespread hunting and habitat
loss pose the greatest threats to bears in Laos and, with many social issues to
deal with, wildlife protection remains under-funded and low on the governments
list of priorities.
Laos Bear Sanctuary
Free the Bears Fund began construction of the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre
during 2002 after receiving a request for help from the Luang Prabang Provincial
Committee for the Care of Rescued Wildlife. Situated in the beautiful Tat Kuang
Si Park, just outside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Luang Prabang,
this sanctuary is now home to twelve Asiatic black bears that have been rescued
from hunters.
Our newest arrivals, three cubs named Dinh, Fa and Lom (which is
Laos for Earth, Wind, and Fire) were brought to the centre after being
confiscated from hunters following a high speed boat chase!
The original sanctuary is set in beautiful woodland with tall tree's for the
bears to climb, running streams and lots of twig piles for the bears to forage
in. We are currently in the process of expanding the bear rescue centre to
almost three times its original size with new forest enclosures and a nursery
for rescued cubs under construction.
Together with a state of the art new house
and night dens for the bears, this extension will increase the capacity of the
Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre to provide a safe home for up to 30 bears in
years to come. Free the Bears Fund covers 100% of the running costs for this
sanctuary and the team of keepers who care for the bears.
Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre is visited by more than 200,000 Laos and
international visitors each year, providing a unique opportunity for local
people to see and learn about their precious wildlife.
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