A Tibetan bear was rescued by the Asian Animal Foundation after being transferred by a bear breeder in the nothern mountainous province of Lai Châu.
The bear named Rocky has recovered well and is now healthy, the foundation said.
The female bear was bred as a pet for 12 years since it was young. It lived in a small cage in a garden of a hotel.
Veterian doctor Mandala Ishikawa Hunter said the bear was given anesthesia so they can get her out of the cage.
Doctors found the animal had problems in the joints and bones of his limbs, especially a severe injury on the back leg because of which it was unable to stretch, he said. In addition, the bear was discovered to have an abnormality in the liver.
The animal was also very thin and sensitive to be touched.
Dr. Tuấn Bendixsen, the foundation’s chief representative, said rescuing animals in the mountainous regions always encountered more difficulties because of the hilly terrain and unexpected weather.
The bear owner volunteerily transferred the bear to the Việt Nam Bear Saving Centre.
Rocky is the 187th animal rescued by the foundation in Việt Nam. The animals rescued by the foundation are living in semi-natural areas of the Việt Nam Bear Saving Centre in Tam Đảo District of Vĩnh Phúc Province. — VNS