The Tiger Sanctuary Vietnam is being established to create a world-class home for confiscated tigers, and help make the end of tiger farming in Vietnam possible.
That question sits at the heart of tiger conservation in Vietnam. Authorities continue to investigate wildlife crime and remove tigers from illegal and unsuitable facilities — but confiscating a tiger is only the beginning.
Every rescued tiger needs expert veterinary care, secure transport and a permanent home that can meet its physical and behavioural needs for the rest of its life. Without appropriate sanctuary space, opportunities to rescue tigers can be delayed or lost.
The Tiger Sanctuary Vietnam exists to help provide that missing piece.
Many tigers in Vietnam's farms are bred and kept to supply the illegal trade in tiger products, including tiger bone glue — a paste made by boiling tiger bones and consumed for perceived medicinal benefits.
Most spend their entire lives in small concrete enclosures with little opportunity to explore, climb, swim or express the natural behaviours that define them as wild animals. The physical and psychological consequences can be profound: chronic stress, abnormal repetitive behaviours, poor welfare.
Without dedicated sanctuary capacity, many of these tigers cannot be rescued in the first place — building that capacity is what makes future rescues possible.
A sanctuary gives authorities a specialist destination for rescued tigers, strengthening enforcement against the illegal wildlife trade. It provides lifelong veterinary care, species-specific husbandry and high welfare for tigers that cannot be returned to the wild.
It complements the work of government rescue centres by expanding the country's capacity to care for rescued tigers — and it helps make the closure of tiger farms possible by ensuring they have a permanent place to go.
Vietnam's last confirmed photographic record of a wild tiger was captured by camera trap in 1999. Right now, 286 tigers are being held across 17 privately owned farms and zoos — and the country has already shown that meaningful change is possible through collaboration between government, conservation organisations and animal welfare groups.
To bring tiger farming to an end, authorities need somewhere to place rescued tigers. Building that capacity isn't simply about caring for them — it's the infrastructure that makes enforcement, and closure, possible.
Every decision we make will be guided by compassion, evidence and the individual needs of the animals in our care. We will work openly, share what we learn, and build with the future in mind.
We are working to end tiger farming in Vietnam by creating the sanctuary capacity needed for rescue, while providing specialist care for carnivores affected by the illegal wildlife trade.
We recognise the sentience of animals and their right to their one and only life. This drives us to make that life better wherever we can.
As much as possible, our decisions are grounded in science, veterinary medicine and evidence rather than good intentions alone.
We cannot achieve our mission alone. Government, communities and other organisations are fundamental to our collective success for animals.
We believe trust is earned through openness. We will be clear about what we do, how we use our resources, and where we fall short.
We invest in our people, share knowledge and build capacity so our impact can extend far beyond the animals we directly care for.
The Tiger Sanctuary Vietnam is being developed by an international team with extensive experience in wildlife rescue, sanctuary management, veterinary care and conservation in Vietnam and internationally — building on decades of practical experience with government agencies, animal welfare organisations and international sanctuary standards.
Behind this project is an exceptional group of people. We look forward to introducing our leadership team, trustees and technical advisory team soon.
We welcome conversations with conservation organisations, technical experts, supporters and others who share our vision for a future beyond tiger farming.
hello@thetigersanctuary.org
Occasional emails with news, project updates, fundraising appeals and ways to support our work. Unsubscribe any time.