Free the Bears is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and welfare of bears, with a primary focus on Asiatic black bears, sun bears, and sloth bears. The organization was founded in 1995 by an Australian woman named Mary Hutton, who was inspired to take action after visiting a bear farm in Cambodia and witnessing the conditions in which the bears were kept.
Since its founding, Free the Bears has grown into an international organization with projects across Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. The organization works to rescue bears from the wildlife trade, rehabilitate them, and release them back into the wild whenever possible. Free the Bears also works to educate local communities about the importance of bear conservation and the impact of the wildlife trade on these animals.
In addition to its rescue and rehabilitation efforts, Free the Bears also works to protect bears in the wild by supporting habitat conservation and engaging in research to better understand these animals and their needs. The organization also runs a number of ecotourism projects, which allow visitors to see bears in their natural habitats and learn more about conservation efforts.
Free the Bears is an important organization that is making a profoundly beautiful difference in the lives of bears in Southeast Asia. Through its rescue and rehabilitation efforts, habitat conservation projects, and education and research programs, Free the Bears is working to ensure that these magnificent animals have a brighter future.
Volunteer Opportunities
Free the Bears offers a variety of volunteer opportunities at their bear sanctuaries in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. These opportunities provide individuals with the chance to make a direct contribution to the conservation and welfare of bears in Southeast Asia.
Some of the volunteer opportunities at the sanctuaries include:
- Bear care: Volunteers can help with the daily care of the bears, including preparing food, cleaning enclosures, and providing enrichment activities.
- Construction and maintenance: Volunteers can assist with building and maintaining enclosures and facilities at the sanctuaries.
- Education and outreach: Volunteers can help with educational programs for local communities and visitors, raising awareness about the importance of bear conservation.
- Fundraising and events: Volunteers can assist with fundraising efforts and organizing events to support the work of Free the Bears.
- Research: Volunteers can help with research projects to better understand the behavior and needs of bears in the wild and in captivity.
Volunteer opportunities at the sanctuaries are generally available for a minimum of two weeks and require a commitment to work full-time during that period. Volunteers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs but Free the Bears provides training, support, and supervision during their stay.
Overall, volunteering with Free the Bears can be a rewarding experience for individuals who are passionate about bear conservation and want to make a direct impact on the lives of these magnificent animals.
Help Sponsor a Bear
Free the Bears offers a Bear Sponsorship program, which allows individuals to provide ongoing support for a specific bear living at one of their sanctuaries in Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam.
By becoming a bear sponsor, individuals can make a real, lasting difference in the life of a bear, providing the financial resources needed to support their care and rehabilitation. The sponsorship funds are used to cover the cost of food, veterinary care, enrichment activities, and other essential needs of the bear.
In return for their support, bear sponsors receive regular updates and photos of their sponsored bears, as well as information about their background and progress. Sponsors also have the opportunity to visit their sponsored bear at the sanctuary and see firsthand the impact of their support.
The cost of bear sponsorship varies depending on the sanctuary, and the specific bear being sponsored but typically ranges from $25 to $50 per month. Sponsorship can be done through the Free the Bears website, and individuals can choose to sponsor a bear on their own or as a gift for someone else.
Overall, the Bear Sponsorship program is a great way for individuals to support the work of Free the Bears and make a real difference in the life of a bear. By providing ongoing financial support, sponsors help ensure that these magnificent animals receive the care and rehabilitation they need to thrive.