First footage of Yong-gi

For years, Yong-gi knew only life behind bars.

Rescued from one of South Korea’s last bear bile farms, he spent his entire life confined to a small metal cage, never knowing the freedom every bear deserves.

Today, Yong-gi is safe.

His story is one of courage, resilience and new beginnings, and we cannot wait to welcome him to his forever home at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park.

Yong-gi (용기) is one of the five rescued Moon Bears at the heart of the Bears Behind Bars campaign.

His name means “Courage”, and although he is the smallest of the five bears, he has shown extraordinary bravery throughout his life.

For years, Yong-gi shared a tiny cage with his sister, Rumi, enduring decades of confinement with quiet resilience.

Like all our rescued Moon Bears, Yong-gi never had the chance to simply be a bear.

He had no woodland to explore, no trees to climb and no freedom to choose where to spend his day.

Instead, he spent years behind rusting metal bars, deprived of the natural behaviours every bear should experience.

Despite everything, Yong-gi has never lost his gentle spirit.

Soon, Yong-gi will begin an entirely new chapter.

At Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, a purpose-built woodland reserve is waiting to welcome him.

For the first time in his life, he will have trees to climb, natural woodland to explore and the freedom to choose his own path.

Every branch he climbs and every new scent he discovers will be another small act of courage.

We cannot wait to watch this brave bear discover just how big his world can be.

Yong-gi and his bear family have now been cleared to travel, but one final challenge remains.

We are raising the remaining funds needed to bring all five rescued Moon Bears safely to their forever home in Suffolk.

Your donation will help fund specialist transport, veterinary care, bespoke travel crates and the final preparations for their woodland reserve.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings Yonggi one step closer to the life he has waited so long to experience.

Donate today and help bring Yong-gi home: https://gofund.me/74bc01ace

Each of our five rescued Moon Bears has their own remarkable story of survival, resilience and hope.

Over the course of this week, we’ll introduce each bear as they prepare for the journey to their forever home at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park.

🐻 Bara (To Watch, To Hope) ✓

🐻 Yong-gi (Courage) ✓

🐻 Huimang (Hope) ✓

🐻 Saebit (New Light)

🐻 Rumi (Beautiful Light)

Follow their stories as each bear is revealed.

Find out more about our Moon Bear Rescue mission.