Five rescued moon bears are finally free after nine years locked in cages, thanks to the charity Free the Bears. The bears have moved to Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, where they can live outside with others of their kind.

The bears spent nine years malnourished in very small spaces after being stolen from their mothers in the wild and trafficked in the illegal pet trade. Each bear was assessed and moved carefully by veterinary and rescue teams during a three-day operation.

Rescuing five adult bears is no small undertaking, particularly when they are older, malnourished or in poor health. Now they are exploring forest for the first time, fully fed and with room to roam.

Moon and sun bears in parts of Asia often live in horrific conditions as pets or on bile farms. Because they spent their formative years in cages, the five bears cannot return to the wild and will need lifelong sanctuary care.

Why it matters: every small first, from touching grass to climbing, is a sign of recovery after years of suffering.