Two Asian black bears, one male and one female, previously rescued from a residence in Hanoi, were relocated to the Vietnam Bear Sanctuary on Bach Ma Mountain in Thua Thien Hue Province, central Vietnam on Tuesday.

A household in Phung Thuong Commune under Phuc Tho District, Hanoi voluntarily handed the two bears over to the authorities.

Employees check bear enclosures at the Vietnam Bear Sanctuary on Bach Ma Mountain before the first two dwellers come. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre

After the handover, the two bears had their health checked by veterinary surgeons from Animals Asia – a Hong Kong-based charity which seeks to end cruelness to animals in Asia.

Both bears were given a clean bill of health.

The two bears are the first two residents at the Vietnam Bear Sanctuary on Bach Ma Mountain. The male bear is named Armstrong and the female bear is named Buzz.

They were named after the first men to set foot on the moon.

During their 800-kilometer relocation journey, the two bears were checked, given water, and fed every two or three hours.

A male bear named Amstrong is one of the first two residents at the Vietnam Bear Sanctuary on Bach Ma Mountain. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre

Upon their arrival, the two bears were fed milk and honey before being placed in a quarantine area for medical monitoring.

They will be transferred to their own cages after 30-45 days of quarantine.

The construction of the Vietnam Bear Sanctuary on Bach Ma Mountain cost more than US$10 million.

Tuan Bendixen, director at Animals Asia and co-director at the management board of the Vietnam Bear Sanctuary Project on Bach Ma Mountain, said that the facility will be able to accommodate over 300 bears after its completion.

The sanctuary, which covers 12.7 hectares, is set to receive some 50 bears by the end of 2023.

“We selected Bach Ma Mountain to build the bear sanctuary due to its climate. We plan to use it as a launching point to reintroduce some bears back into the wild,” Tuan said.

The sanctuary features 12 bear cages, 12 semi-wild areas, quarantine areas, veterinary facilities, food processing areas, and a waste treatment area.

The sanctuary is also in charge of launching campaigns to raise awareness about bear protection and sustainable bear conservation.

The Vietnam Bear Sanctuary on Bach Ma Mountain in Thua Thien-Hue Province can accommodate over 300 bears. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre

A group of young foreigners visit the Vietnam Bear Sanctuary on Bach Ma Mountain in Thua Thien-Hue Province. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre

A hospital for bears is in the process of being equipped with modern machines and technology. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre

An employee gives milk mixed with honey to one of two Asian black bears. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre

Employees relocate a bear to a quarantine area for health monitoring. Photo: Nhat Linh / Tuoi Tre

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