Five Asiatic black bears rescued from one of South Korea’s last bile farms have arrived at a new home in Suffolk after being flown 5,500 miles to the UK.
The bears – Bara, Rumi, Saebit, Yong-gi and Huimang – had spent more than two decades in tiny metal cages. TV farmer Jimmy Doherty helped secure their release and welcomed them to Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park near Ipswich.
The relocation is believed to be the first time moon bears have been brought to the UK. The animals had been cared for at a specialist veterinary facility after leaving the farm and were declared fit to travel before their journey.
They were transported in specially designed crates under the supervision of vets and experienced animal handlers.
Mr Doherty, patron of wildlife charity Space for the Wild, said: “Six months ago, I stood in South Korea and met these bears for the first time.
“I saw the cages they had lived in and made them a promise: I would do everything I could to bring them home.
“Today, that promise has become a reality.”
A new home for the rescued moon bears
The bears will live in a purpose-built woodland reserve called Moon Bear Islands, with trees, grass, running water and pools. The enclosure has been designed to allow them to forage, climb and swim after spending much of their lives standing on concrete.
Moon bears are Asiatic black bears named after the pale, crescent-shaped markings on their chests. The five animals were reportedly taken from their mothers as cubs before being confined at the farm.
Bara, the oldest, arrived there in 1998 and remained in the same filthy metal cage for 27 years. He had reportedly never encountered a pool of water before his rescue, but began exploring a bath while recovering at the veterinary centre.
Siblings Yong-gi and Rumi spent almost two decades sharing a single barren cage, while Saebit was said to have protected the smaller Huimang during their years in captivity.
“Seeing them trapped in tiny cages after decades on a bear bile farm was heartbreaking,” Mr Doherty said. “This is the beginning of the end of their long life in those terrible conditions on that terrible bile farm.
“I can’t tell you how overjoyed we are. It’s been a long, long journey.”
Bear farming began in South Korea in the early 1980s, with the animals’ bile and gallbladders used in traditional medicine and products believed to improve vitality. The bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid, which can be used to treat some liver and gallstone conditions, although synthetic alternatives are widely available.
A 2022 agreement between the South Korean government, farmers and animal welfare organisations set out plans to end the trade. Breeding bears, possessing them for farming and extracting their bile were formally banned from January 1 2026.
The five bears relocated to Suffolk are among the first to be offered permanent homes overseas. Mr Doherty said about 200 bears remained in South Korea and needed help.
Space for the Wild and Jimmy’s Farm launched the Bears Behind Bars campaign to fund the animals’ release, veterinary care, transport and new reserve. The appeal has raised more than £90,000 from about 3,700 donations.
The bears will initially be kept away from visitors while their health and behaviour are monitored. Members of the public will eventually be able to see them once keepers are satisfied they have adapted to their new surroundings.
