After surveying several forest areas throughout Thailand and with years of experience working with confiscated wild-caught Asiatic black bears and Malayan sun bears, a potential release site in the Eastern Forest Complex has been chosen and we are currently studying release candidates and building a soft-release enclosure.

In the build-up to reintroduction our society has surveyed and continues to work on assessing the existing wild animal populations in and around the release area and worked with genetics experts to both determine the required DNA make-up for the bears and give historical data on wild population movements in Southeast Asia. Our work to date has shown a good existing mammal population in and around the release area that includes elephants, cats, deer, civets and primates. Bears are believed to have once populated the area in significant numbers however survey work to date suggests these numbers are unsustainable.

The methodology employed to reintroduce black bears is to temporarily accommodate a small number of candidates in an electric-fenced enclosure located inside the protected forest area and well away from human contact. Following observations of the bears' behaviour it is planned that the most suitable bear(s) be allowed to exit the enclosure to roam free. Radio-tracking will follow to determine behaviour and home range. In addition, previous work has shown us should the bears in the release enclosure breed and the cubs roam free from birth then these bears will - for all intents and purposes - be wild.