Six bears get a new chance in Knuthenborg
In 2026, six Asiatic black bears will move to Knuthenborg Safaripark as part of an international rescue effort. The bears are coming from South Korea, where for many years they have lived in cramped conditions on so-called bile bear farms.
Now they have the opportunity to live a more natural life in a large nature area with trees, water, and hiding places in Knuthenborg.
An important rescue operation
For decades, Asiatic black bears were kept on bile farms in South Korea, where their bile was used in traditional medicine. Bear bile farms were banned as of January 1, 2026, and the bears now have the opportunity to move to new homes.
Knuthenborg will be the first place in Europe to receive former bile bears as part of this effort.
A life closer to nature
The bears are moving into a large enclosure of more than 23,000 m², where they can explore their surroundings at their own pace. Asiatic black bears are curious animals that climb, swim, and spend a lot of time investigating their environment.
The facility has been developed with a focus on both animal welfare and natural behavior, so the bears have peace, space, and the opportunity to choose whether or not to interact with people.
The project was made possible after the Korean Animal Welfare Association contacted Animal Protection Denmark in 2024. Since then, Animal Protection Denmark, the Dutch NGO Bears in Mind, Professor Dong-Hyuk Jeong from Chungbuk National University, and Knuthenborg Safaripark have worked together to rescue the bears from their many years of captivity.
About Asian black bears
Occurs naturally in large parts of Asia
Also called moon bears because of the light marking on their chest
Are good climbers and can spend many hours in trees
Eats plants, fruit, nuts, insects and small animals
Can live up to about 35 years in human care
