[Choi Kyungpil's Book Column] A Story of Friendship and Adventure Between a Human and a Baby Bear

An Autobiographical Account of a Vietnamese Girl's Journey to Protect Endangered Animals and Coexist with Them

Last month, I saw news that two male Asiatic black bears under two years old were rescued from a farm in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, and transferred to Cheongju Zoo.

Also, recently, there was an incident where a bear escaped from a bear breeding farm in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The bear was immediately shot upon discovery, and initially, it was reported that two bears had escaped.

At this breeding farm, bears were being raised for bile extraction, and it is said that they lied about two bears escaping to cover up the illegal slaughter of one bear.

Some might ask, "Are there still people who consume bear bile in this day and age?" but this happened in 2021 on this very land. Barbaric acts of animal cruelty, such as raising bears to extract bile, still occur in many parts of the world.

The picture book (Book Dream Eye) is an autobiographical story by wildlife conservation activist Trang Nguyen, who works in Vietnam, and is a picture storybook for young children. Trang, who was named one of the '100 Women of the World' by the BBC, depicts how she became a wildlife conservation activist and her activities.

The book has gained popularity to the extent that it was simultaneously published in 11 countries worldwide, with its remarkably moving story and beautiful jungle illustrations.

Before turning thirty, she founded 'WildAct,' an NGO that monitors illegal wildlife trade and provides wildlife protection programs to Vietnamese youth. As a member of the top bear expert group IUCN SSC, she was also selected in 2020 as one of Forbes' 'Young Asian Social Entrepreneurs under 30.'

She decided to become a wildlife conservation activist after witnessing a bear being subjected to live bile extraction at an illegal bear farm when she was eight years old.

If you stop any child on the street and ask, "Where do bears live?" the innocent answer would be, "Bears live in the forest." However, in reality, the number of bears living freely in the forest is steadily decreasing. Due to indiscriminate environmental destruction and illegal capture by humans, many wild animals, including bears, are facing extinction threats.

The protagonists of this book are the author, Vietnamese girl Trang, and the abandoned baby bear Soria. After persistent efforts to achieve her dream, Trang volunteers at a wildlife protection organization, where she meets Soria, a baby bear abandoned after losing her mother to poachers.

Soria, deprived of proper maternal care, exhibits abnormal behaviors such as biting her toes until they bleed, but Trang vows to train Soria to survive in the wild and return her to the forest. She teaches Soria how to climb trees and find food alone, while also doing her best to find a safe forest where Soria can live securely.

Passing through forests devastated by human reckless development and forests where poachers have set various traps, Trang finds a place where Soria can safely settle and prepares for their farewell there.

During the weeks when Soria learns how to find small insects, distinguish dangerous plants, and spend time alone, Trang stays close by. When Soria begins to sleep alone at night and makes friends with other bears, Trang leaves her side.

Jjang and the Wild Bear Soria reveals the harsh realities faced by wild animals suffering from human greed and vividly portrays what wildlife conservation activists actually do, beyond just being 'people who protect animals.'

It also shows what a sincere attitude toward life and the environment looks like and teaches the best ways for humans and nature to coexist.

Book columnist, Asia Economy Honam Reporting Bureau guest reporter Choi Kyung-pil