Information from the Department of Forestry indicates that as of now, 2,800 captive bears have been documented and fitted with electronic chips for tracking purposes. This initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Forestry and the World Animal Protection Society.
Accordingly, a total of 4,000 bears of various species currently in captivity will have electronic chips installed by December 31, aiming for better management of this rare animal species. The Department of Forestry’s stance is clear: breeding bears is prohibited, as is the trade and slaughter of these animals. Failure to chip a bear will result in legal consequences for the owner. Anyone with a bear that has been chipped is required to care for it for its entire life. During the chipping process, individuals involved in the illegal sale or transportation of bears will still face legal action. Bears that are confiscated will be prioritized for release back into their natural habitats.
The current issue is that the implementation of electronic chipping may inadvertently legitimize the captivity of moon bears and black bears, which are rare wildlife species that fall under the prohibited categories for extraction and use. However, due to the widespread nature of bear captivity in Vietnam, this is considered the most effective measure at present. In the near future, the Asian Wildlife Coalition may assist Vietnam in establishing a rescue center in the north, covering approximately 10 hectares, with the capacity to house thousands of bears.
Currently, Vietnam has not been able to accurately assess the number of bears living in the wild, but it is estimated that their populations are experiencing serious decline.
MANH TUAN
