Rescued Korean bile bears begin new life in Denmark

Six Asiatic black bears rescued from South Korean bile farms have started a new life at Knuthenborg Safaripark in Denmark. Transported by a Cargolux flight, the bears explored a massive 23,000-square-meter "Bear Forest" for the first time, swimming in lakes and foraging in the woodlands.

Following the official ban on bear bile farming in South Korea that went into effect on January 1, 2026, a collaborative international effort has been actively relocating affected bears to sanctuaries. These six bears previously lived in tiny wire cages for years. The caged bears, used for bile extraction for traditional medicine, are the first to be relocated to Europe as South Korea phases out the practice.