Ed is already famous for his incredible illustrations in the book "Moon Bear" written by Brenda Guiberson, and published by Henry Holt press, which shows how luckier bears go about their business in the wild and enjoy everything there is to enjoy about life that is truly free.
Ed is a remarkable man. His illustrations not only show the bears but, if you look closely at some of the crescent markings on their chests, you can make out the silhouettes of some members of his family.
In an example too strange to be coincidence, Ed has also had the bears close to his heart for his entire life. As a child, he was originally given a wooden moon bear by his mother when they lived in Shanghai, which he then took with him when he moved to New York. The bear is now over 100 years old, and when we first met there a couple of years ago as the book was being produced, he asked if I would take his moon bear "home" back to China, which of course I was thrilled to do.
Now safely in Chengdu and part of our ursine family, the bear called Yuan Yuan, was taken to the press conference where Ed charmed the media with how his story has come full circle.
The press conference was held at Sisyphe Books - established in 1993, and the most famous book store in Chengdu with branches across the country. The well known children's Reading Promoter, Mr Ajia attended the event and a kind translator who translated Ed's "Moon Bear" book into Chinese very generously gave the fee he was paid to Animals Asia.
Ed also attended a bear's health check where he saw and heard the reality of how much bear farming hurts the bears and, during the press conference, he spoke so movingly about the issue and why he believes that everyone should stand behind those in China in reaching out and freeing the bears from their torture.
Special thanks to our own Susan Zhang for working so hard to make the press conference such a success, and thank you again Ed, so lovely to see you and Ananda again, and please come back very soon.
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Some pictures are just too good to file away - and this most beautiful photo of glorious Banjo, taken recently by our very own Star in Chengdu, was just too perfect not to share.
Enjoy a happy, healthy Banjo, chilling as only bears know how.
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Oh how pea green am I to have missed a truly phenomenal event recently in the UK. Our wonderful supporter Richard Symonds who, together with Suzie Marsh, held "Moonstruck" in London earlier this year exhibiting the most amazing prints and sculptures of our beautiful bears – and donating 50 per cent of the proceeds to Animals Asia.
Now Rich has kindly helped with another recent event, and also references our fabulous supporters Oliver and Barbara (Babs) who, coincidentally have just been on site with us in Chengdu, enjoying a couple of days of bear therapy with Oliver, Jasper and the other bears, and also coming along on one of our Dr Dog visits at a home for the elderly.
More on that soon, but for now, I'm passing the blog over to Rich, who summarises why the day was such a roaring success.
"When Kay from Animals Asia UK asked if I would like to display a few drawings and prints on the Animals Asia stand alongside some of Suzie Marsh's sculptures at an event called "Wildlife Rocks" at Guildford Cathedral, well it didn't take much to convince me! Not only was it just a few miles from where I live, but it was being hosted by one of my all-time musical heroes and great animal ambassador too, Brian May from the legendary rock band, Queen!
Having set up the Animals Asia stand outside with another legend of the Animals Asia support team, Babs, it wasn't long before Brian May and singer Kerry Ellis made their way over to our stand to have a look and a chat.
In no time at all, our conversation turned to dear Oliver bear who is was the subject of one of my limited edition prints on display. Both Brian and Kerry seemed visibly moved by Oliver's story and by all the other stoic bears' stories too.
It was the perfect opportunity to get a photo with them both and for them to very kindly sign another tiger print that was on display. The event saw many of the big charities attending and was followed by music from local bands and of course Brian and Kerry. Between the music, were talks by David Shepherd of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and Will Travers of the Born Free Foundation, along with the head CEO of the RSPCA.
We were also joined by Animals Asia supporters John, Anna and Khalil, and another long-term super supporter Ollie Lodge, who I believe took the opportunity to have a rare Queen LP signed!
A great day in the sunshine with like-minded people and flying the flag for Animals Asia – just perfect!"
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Just recently, we heard from Gill and Fiona in our UK office, together with Linda of our Southampton Support group, that this year's trek up Mount Snowdon was once again hugely challenging, but hugely spectacular in results for the bears, dogs and cats of Asia.
In a combination of summaries from all three, the Snowdon Trek turned out to be a super challenge for our 12 wonderful UK supporters and with dry weather along the way, they were hopeful of a splendid view from the top. Once again, the team was professionally led up the mountain by former Royal Marine Pen Farthing and the AdventureFitness company which generously give their support for free. This year our trekkers were joined by supporters of Nowzad, a charity started by Pen to help dogs and cats in Afghanistan.
Mount Snowdon is always a challenge in itself but for fireman David Bowen of our fabulous Southampton Group (whose wife was the first person to do a skydive for Animals Asia, and whose dog Alfie won the Animals Asia recent photography competition), this was a feat where he wanted MORE.
Following months of training, and not content with reaching the summit carrying his sandwiches and water like the rest of the team, he decided, in tribute to farmed bear Oliver’s 30 years of confinement, to carry a cage and bear weighing 30lbs to the summit and back.
With over eight hours of climbing the rock face, this was a phenomenal achievement, and a huge tribute to an amazing man who has raised hundreds of pounds for Animals Asia and Nowzad as well as raising vital public awareness in this truly mammoth effort. One lady was so impressed to see David and the cage on the mountain and after learning from him all about Animals Asia, called the office later to make a donation.
For once the weather was good and Snowdon bathed in sunshine, all the way to the top. Of course, it was a different story by the time our trekkers reached the summit, which was freezing cold, misty and damp. So despite the lack of rain, there was no break with tradition and everyone still got wet. But humans and dogs alike all made it up and down safely.
Despite rumours that UK Director Gill Maltby and her new baby Adam would be joining our Snowdon climbers at the summit, Gill sensibly declined the invitation. Though she and Adam were there on Saturday 1 September to greet our dedicated climbers and to welcome them back.
Everyone agreed it was a fantastic day, ending in a fun and relaxing way with Pen’s special pub quiz. And perhaps next year, baby Adam will be joining our fantastic climbers at Snowdon’s summit!
Endless thanks and big bear hugs to David, Emily and David, Linda, Mia-louise, Maren, Daisy, Elaine, Rachel, Helen, Sue and Carole. Please enjoy the photos, celebrating yet another mammoth climb by team and supporters UK!
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Just last week, the brave film crew who spent two years filming undercover in six provinces of China to the terror and brutality of bear farms across the country, won a major prize at a film festival in Ya'an. Elsa, Chen Yuan Zong and Tu Qiao received the top award for "Best Educational Value" for their film “Moon Bear”, at the Fifth China Ya’an International Panda, Animals and Nature Film Week.
The powerful film took a further two years to make.
After their win, prominent Government official, our longtime and dear friend, Madam Yang, shared a comment on her blog. She simply stated: "Gratified! Congratulations! Salute!"
Cameraman Chen Yuan Zhong spoke for the film crew, supporters in China and across the world, and all in the team of Animals Asia when he commented on his blog: “Moon bears, you got the award, do you hear?”
Elsa Xiong Jun Hui, Chen Yuan Zong and Tu Qiao – thank you from the bottom of our hearts – we salute you.
Elsa (whose surname "Xiong" means "bear") and Chen Yuan visited our sanctuary on their return from the film festival. They wanted to share with the bears the beautiful trophy they had received for their film, which has been viewed over 1.4 million times across China. And they wanted the chance to experience, even just for a moment, how it felt to be confined to a cage so small.
The whole crew has been so utterly committed and dedicated to this film – and we are endlessly grateful for all the help and publicity they have given to China's tortured bears. It was a great privilege to have Chen and Elsa on site. Chen later sent us these beautiful, moving photos of that very special day.
And here with Elsa, Chen and our Beijing team from left – Susan, Dan Fang and Toby.
Elsa micro-blogged about the photo of the trophy in a cage – a barbaric contraption that had once trapped a moon bear for many long years. Elsa’s comment was:
Glory in a cage
The glory was born from the cage, and yet it’s still trapped by the cage – moon bear, when can you breathe freely?
Click here to watch “Moon Bear” and to read all about Elsa, Chen and Tu Qiao and their heroic filming under conditions that risked their lives – and the justice of China's film industry that awarded them for their bravery.
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