Limping rescued bear prompts trip to “human hospital” 23 August 2017

When no one else could help, an injured moon bear’s carers turned in hope to a Vietnamese hospital – what happened next was amazing.

Patients at a hospital in northern Vietnam received a surprise when suddenly they were sharing their hospital with a 150kg moon bear – with a limp.

The trip to a “human hospital” was prompted after Quang Yen was spotted having difficulty walking.

The moon bear – rescued from a bear bile farm in 2015 – clearly had a problem with his right front paw.

When the condition failed to improve with rest and pain medication, staff at Animals Asia’s Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre knew they needed additional equipment to help Quang Yen.

The team called their friends at a local hospital who quickly made an appointment for the very important patient.

This furry VIP was anaesthetised and rushed into the hospital for a radiograph as curious patients looked on.

Animals Asia Bear Manager Louise Ellis said:

“The hospital staff were absolutely fantastic, with doctors professionally shooting the x-rays while marvelling at Quang Yen’s size.

“This beautiful boy certainly caused a stir, and everyone – from patients to staff seemed more than happy to share the facility with a bear in need.”

The x-rays of his right wrist and hand showed Quang Yen is suffering from severe arthritis and fused bones as a result of an old injury.

Quang Yen’s carers believe recent trauma, such as a fall or over-zealous wrestling with new friends, must have aggravated the problem.

Animals Asia’s Senior Veterinarian Mandala Hunter-Ishikawa said:

“We’re so glad the hospital agreed to help. Having the diagnosis using the radiograph helped us know exactly what to do for Quang Yen and how much time it would take to heal. If they had turned us away we would still be left trying to figure out the true cause of his lameness”.

Quang Yen will be given plenty of comfy straw and rest while the injured paw heals and is expected to recover from this incident. Although he will still have arthritis, it can be managed with long-term medications and joint supplements.

Animals Asia’s Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:

“We can’t thank the hospital staff enough for helping Quang Yen when he needed them most. They opened their hearts to a bear in need when they were under no obligation to do so at all – and thanks to them, this gorgeous moon bear is on the mend.”