Rescued South Korean moon bears cleared to travel to Suffolk
Five bears have been cleared to travel from South Korea
A wildlife park in Suffolk has reached a major milestone in its mission to rescue five moon bears from South Korea.
The bears, who have endured years in captivity, have been cleared to travel to the UK, bringing them a step closer to their new home.
Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park near Ipswich says the bears have been living in cramped and unsanitary conditions with their bile used in traditional medicine practices. Despite the ban on bear bile farming, approximately 200 bears remain trapped with no place to go.
Space for the Wild, the organiser behind the "Bears Behind Bars" mission, aims to offer these bears a second chance at life in Suffolk.
The campaign is now in its final stages, needing ÂŁ150,000 to fund the bears' transport, veterinary care, and the completion of their new woodland reserve.
Jimmy Doherty, the patron of Space for the Wild, said the bears would finally have the opportunity to roam freely, enjoy natural habitats, and experience life beyond bars for the first time. Over the coming week, Jimmy's Farm will introduce the bears individually, revealing their names and unique stories.