\n Jimmy Doherty, of Jimmy’s Farm, said the animals are in one of the country’s last remaining bear bile farms and seeks to bring them to the Ipswich-based wildlife park.\n<\/p>\n
\n The bears, known as moon bears or Asiatic black bears, have spent their lives in cages on a farm where bile was extracted for use in traditional medicine.\n<\/p>\n
\n The practice has been outlawed but 200 bears are still in captivity. (Image: Jimmy’s Farm)\n<\/p>\n
\n The bear bile industry has now been banned in South Korea, but around 200 bears remain in captivity and many face the risk of euthanasia due to a lack of available sanctuary space.\n<\/p>\n
\n The campaign hopes to raise funds for their rescue, provide them with specialist veterinary care, and cover the cost of transporting them 5,500 miles to the UK.\n<\/p>\n
\n The conservationist’s appeal coincides with World Bear Day and is part of the “Bears Behind Bars” campaign led by the charity Space for the Wild.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Doherty, patron of Space for the Wild, said: “It\u2019s heartbreaking to see their dreadful existence.\n<\/p>\n
\n “If I was one of those bears, I would want someone to give me a shot at happiness.”\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n A safe, natural reserve is already being developed for them at Jimmy\u2019s Farm & Wildlife Park.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \n The appeal follows the charity\u2019s successful rescue of Diego<\/a>, a brown bear brought to his forever home in the UK, demonstrating what is possible when urgent action is taken.\n<\/p>\n \n \n Michaela Doherty, chair of Space for the Wild, said: “From cages to countryside\u2026 this is the bears only chance, after a lifetime behind bars, they deserve to feel grass under their feet and simply be bears for the first time in their lives.”\n<\/p>\nA campaign has been launched (Image: Jimmy’s Farm)\n<\/p>\n