A Sussex animal charity has thrown its backing behind a major rescue operation involving 27 young bears in Laos.
The Uckfield-based International Animal Rescue has hailed the plan by Free the Bears, which is believed to be the largest ever rescue of the animals in South East Asia.
It saw 27 moon bears – also known as Asiatic black bears – saved from an illegal bile farm.
The facility has since been shut down by Laos authorities, and the bears – which are all believed to be between one and three years old – resettled at the organisation’s wildlife sanctuary.
Its CEO, Matt Hunt, said the rescue is an “incredible milestone” which “represents a long-term commitment to every one of these bears”.
He added: “We’re ready to give them safe, healthy lives they deserve. But we really can’t do it alone.”
To cope with the added financial burden of caring for its new arrivals, the charity has set up a fundraising page, with an overall target of $300,000 (£223,000).
It says it will use the money to build new enclosures and hire more staff.
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