http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/rss/RSS_img-01.jpg http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php Copyright 2013, No Author No Author en-US SPHPBLOG 0.4.8 http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130517-015623



Sepp uses both photography and art to create compelling images showing the misery of the bears as they suffer years of cage confinement on the farms, through to their wonder and awe of nature and friendship once they are free.




In his new video, Sepp focuses on China – highlighting the compelling devotion of our local staff who are fighting to free their country’s farmed bears from torture. The moon bears and brown bears featured in Sepp's work are China’s pride. His message is clear: The agony and exploitation of these bears for greed must end.




Sepp and Monika have just returned to Germany after visiting our sanctuaries once again in both China and Vietnam – and Sepp’s latest stunning pictures will now be featured in our 2014 calendar showing the beauty and forgiveness of rescued bears enjoying their spring. Here they are on the left with me, sculptor Suzie Marsh, Annemarie who heads up out vet and bear teams in Vietnam, and Suzie's husband, Doug.




Please click here for a few minutes of profoundly beautiful art and share far and wide to give our rescued bears – and those still suffering – their voice.

Last year, Sepp not only supported our German roadshow with an exhibition of his photos, but also created a beautiful photo book and a series of amazing images based on his photos of the Chengdu bears.
]]> http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130517-015623 No Author Fri, 17 May 2013 06:56:23 GMT http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130514-232921
Every month the Hong Kong MTR hosts art pieces from the community and schools to be displayed as part of its "Community Art" programme.

Students aged 7-14 in schools and art studios all across Hong Kong were invited to participate in a competition that would see their art pieces displayed at the very popular and busy Sheung Wan MTR station in Hong Kong. The theme was "What do moon bears need to be happy and healthy?"

Students who participated were already aware of the plight of moon bears across Asia, and now it was their turn to show the public how moon bears should be kept; healthy, free and safe from torture. Only 12 pieces could be selected, so students had to get very creative to have their pieces stand out!

Every artwork that was submitted demonstrated just how well the children understood the bears needs. Children took the time to draw, sketch or paint what the bears needed in their environment, and their true habitat.





The 12 pieces that were selected were put on display through the month of April, and I personally watched as people stopped from their hectic commutes to take time and admire the art and the message behind what the children were demonstrating visually.

Congratualtions and big well done to, Elizabeth Lai, Ella Contreras, Avalina Linn, Enid Leung, Darius Yeung, Ho Ho Yan, Wan Long Yan, Kelly Ho, Masan Leung, Christie Chong, Michelle Liu and Montana Inarassia-Hancock.
]]> http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130514-232921 No Author Wed, 15 May 2013 04:29:21 GMT http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130512-224412
The outcry against bear bile farming continues to grow - and we celebrate the support of medical professionals who emphasise that bear farming shames their profession and who appeal for the industry to end.

Sharon, our new "Healing without Harm" programme assistant, reports that around 3,000 professionals attended the 6th International Congress of the Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC2013) and saw 1,130 of them promising not to sell or use bear bile. This is on top of the 1,000 signatures collected during another medical conference in China last year.





Many of those who signed our pledge will be helpful contacts in terms of collaboration and spreading the word that herbs and synthetic alternatives to bear bile are not only more acceptable, but more beneficial, considering the contaminants in the bile of such sick and diseased farmed bears.

Sharon, who joined us only recently, is pictured below with the Chairman of the organising committee. Dr Hu Bi Jie is extremely well known and has supported our work during similar conferences over the past three years.




Our grateful thanks to the increasing number of doctors joining the campaign and standing up to call for an end to bear bile farming China wide.
]]> http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130512-224412 No Author Mon, 13 May 2013 03:44:12 GMT http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130428-003111
The quake had a magnitude of 6.6 and depth of 12km according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), but was measured as 7.0 by Chinese seismologists and is being reported as such by the Chinese media.

Mercifully, our sanctuary, staff and bears were all safe, but news quickly began circulating of those not so lucky who had lost their lives, their families, their friends. To date, over 200 people are reported killed and more than 8,000 injured (many seriously). With nearly 10,000 houses damaged too in the surrounding villages, our hearts go out to the victims and all those involved.

Despite thousands of aftershocks and severely broken and blocked roads, supplies are finally reaching those most in need, thanks to the brave rescue services.




We are helping the dogs and cats – animals whose lives had also been turned upside down by the loss of their families. Hurt, homeless, dehydrated and hungry they roam the rubble of their previous homes looking for the people they trusted, protected and loved most in the world.

Now essential supplies are reaching them too – water, food, dog bowls, tents, vaccines, needles, rescue cages, leashes, and protective suits for their carers. These brave local groups include the Qiming Animal Protection Centre, Chengdu Home of Love and Ya'an Animal Protection Centre with assistance from Ya'an Vet School, Chongqing Small Animal Protection and Xi'an Hongshiliu Animal Protection Centre.




Following the 2008 earthquake, Animals Asia worked in the field during the early tragic days but, today, with the roads blocked and the authorities trying to keep them free, we’re putting our resources where they're needed most and sending supplies to the groups working on the ground. With the vet school there, and with the assistance of the brave people mentioned above, the animals are quickly being helped, and the supplies are reaching those who need them the most.

The pictures here say it all - these two old men walked many miles to get dog food and medical aid for their dogs.




Please click on to our earthquake link and help us to help those so desperately in need. More supplies have been sent over the weekend and more too will be going out this week.

Again thanks to you for helping at this critical time, and our heartfelt condolences to all those who have been so tragically affected.




]]> http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130428-003111 No Author Sun, 28 Apr 2013 05:31:11 GMT http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130417-010107 Dear Hong,

I pray that you have died.

It was a beautiful spring day when I walked out of the sunshine and into the basement where you and 31 other moon bears were suffering your living hell.

That dark, dirty room, stinking of faeces and infection, and you all peering grimly into the gloom from your "coffin" cages. I remember my chest tightening with fear coming so close to such large and intimidating bears, but then recoiling in horror, a lightning bolt of shock to my heart, witnessing animals so clearly in pain.

The eyes that followed me around the room as I walked past, mentally counting the multiple examples of physical and psychological abuse. Long metal rods protruding from bleeding, infected holes in your abdomens, and numerous injuries to your skeletal bodies. What had the farmers done? What had they thought, as they caused such pain to extract your bile?

And then I saw you. Actually I felt you first, as you reached your paw through the cage and touched my right shoulder. The surge of fear was quickly replaced by a desolate sadness as I looked into your miserable, pleading brown eyes. Your beautiful lemon crescent – shining in contrast to the ugliness, and covering a heart beating in agony during the years of torture you must have endured on the farm.




My reckless reaction of reaching out to the paw you offered – and feeling a gentle, vulnerable squeeze in return. For several seconds we held that moment – each of us lost in misery, communicating across species.

Twenty years ago to the day, I named you Hong ("bear" in Cantonese), giving you an identity and respect you'd never had before, and making a solemn promise that if I couldn't help you, I would try to help others of your species who were destined to suffer like you.

And then I left that awful place, somehow knowing I would never see you again.

To this day the "popping" vocalisations that I first heard on that farm – signalling bears that are stressed and afraid – still haunt me. We hear it on the farms we investigate still, and when rescued bears arrive at our sanctuaries in China and Vietnam – how can they tell the difference at first between us and the farmers responsible for their pain?




The weeks and months following that visit on 17th April 1993 saw a learning curve that couldn't have been more vertical. I was happy to be consulting for IFAW at the time, but launching Animals Asia in 1998 was a strategic move recognising that the plight of the bears could be best understood and addressed from a "local" perspective by people who had lived or worked in Asia itself.

Taking on board the words of one Chinese government official who advised us to "start the debate in China", we began building a core team of people who shared similar principles – passionate, professional people to represent the bears and work with the authorities and local communities to end bear bile farming.

Today, we have what I consider to be the best team in the world. A united, focused family of Animals Asia staff, volunteers and supporters across the globe – not to mention two global award-winning sanctuaries in China and Vietnam where nearly 400 rescued victims of the bile farm industry have made their home so far.

These sanctuaries provide safe havens for bears who have been tortured for years. They also provide employment for about 250 mostly local, and also foreign, staff and are the basis for countrywide educational programmes and our all-important scientific and veterinary research that is providing evidence of the cruelty of bear bile farming, and the severe impact on welfare and conservation of several endangered species of bear.




Today, bear bile farming is an "issue" in China, where 20 provinces are now proudly bear-farm free. Just last year, the bear bile industry was one of the top 10 issues discussed online in the country – and I received a memorable call from a supporter in Shanghai who said, "You can step back now Jill, this is our fight now."

Today the hope is in the people of China and Vietnam, as groups and individuals rise up to challenge the cruelty – and the traditions of the past. The explosion of outrage in China especially, as people hold the farmers (and all those who claim the practice is regulated and humane) to scrutiny. Our graveyard is full with the bodies of over 130 bears to dispute such outrageous claims – bears we have named and loved and respected, our ambassadors of truth, the reality of this disgusting and abusive trade.




Not surprisingly, with the spotlight on their livelihoods, the farmers are fighting back. Over the past few months we have seen threats, relentless hacking of our website, smears on our character and more. But we have also seen a new China – good and principled people, clearly hating such a shameful practice.

Just this weekend, I joined our fabulous education team in Beijing for "Love Moon Bears Week", which is seeing schools across the country collaborating in our latest campaign. In schools across China, the words, “Wo ai yue xiong” (I love moon bears) echoed across playgrounds as students and teachers gathered together to spell out the letters B.E.A.R – and make their feelings known. (Please see the pics in my previous post.)

Our long-running ‘Healing without Harm’ campaign – in partnership with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners – continues to urge the replacement of all bear bile products. In China, we have seen thousands of individual TCM doctors and 40 pharmacists clearing their shelves of bear bile and pledging never to sell it again. As TCM doctor Professor Liu Zheng Cai, who has been consulting with Animals Asia for the past 10 years, says: “The bears have cancer themselves, so how can they possibly cure it?”




With bear bile farming fast becoming distasteful and unacceptable across Asia, we continue working on our strategy to end the industry in both China and Vietnam – it’s the only strategy that will work because people benefit as well as the bears.

In Vietnam, we’ve seen a win against impossible odds, with the Prime Minister overturning an eviction order against our sanctuary. Construction will start again soon and, once complete, we will have room to hold a total of 200 bears. The number of farmed bears in the country has fallen from around 4,000 bears to 2,400 today, and we are optimistic that ongoing work and public education by ourselves and other NGO's in the country will see bear bile farming finally ended there too.

As I remember you again today Hong, I want to thank you for starting the dream of the Moon Bear Rescue exactly 20 years ago. The dream has since helped hundreds of bears, and has seen this week's rescued cubs – Misty and Rain, whose mother must surely have been killed – slowly encouraged to forget their violent and traumatic past. The dream sees bears like handsome Jasper (below, in the crush cage at the farm where he was imprisoned, and today, relaxing in a pool at our sanctuary) and Oliver, and their kin in both sanctuaries, walking out into the spring sunshine with the confidence of individuals who know their lives are safe.






I'm sorry for wishing you dead Hong – but death is a peaceful place away from pain and torture, and I simply couldn't bear to think of you still being farmed and suffering today.

Rest in peace and please never forget the words of our poem to all those bears on farms, still waiting for their freedom.

"Please look upon the others, and give them promise of hope soon.
And tell them to be patient, and always wear the moon."

My promise – and now that of all in Animals Asia – is as sincere and focused as it was in 1993. Until the cruelty ends….



]]> http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130417-010107 No Author Wed, 17 Apr 2013 06:01:07 GMT http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130327-065405
I’ll update you all soon on our beautiful moon bears, but for now I’d like to share some pictures of an early “Love Moon Bears Week” celebration for which middle-school students in Beijing literally spelled out their love for bears.





The celebrations will continue next week – with people throughout this amazing country demonstrating their love for these magnificent creatures and their support for our campaign to end bear bile farming – and I will share more pictures as they come in.

Show your love for bears and join us to celebrate Love Moon Bears Week!
]]> http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130327-065405 No Author Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:54:05 GMT http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130318-055803
The UK celeBEARates all things bear

It’s 20 years since Jill first discovered a bear bile farm and while the journey is far from over, we believe it is time to celebrate what we have achieved so far with your help.

To mark this year, we’re holding a national poetry competition and we hope you will feel inspired to pen a poem in honour of our brave, beautiful bears.

Entries are already coming in, and Emily in our Cornwall office, who is collating the poems, is one minute moved to tears and the next laughing with joy as she reads them. With two entry categories – one for adults (aged 17 and over) and one for young people (aged 8-16), we are expecting many more entries before the closing date of 24 May.

The winning entries will be read to supporters by actors Peter Egan (Animals Asia Ambassador) and Rula Lenska at our Gala Evening on Thursday 13 June at the London Rowing Club.

Find out more here.

The other fun activity the UK has lined up mark our anniversary and the vital role of our supporters in helping us is a Family bear Day with Teddy Bears’ Picnic on Sunday 14 April at Frensham Heights School in Farnham, Surrey.

As well as sharing updates on our Befriend a Bear and Sponsor a Bear schemes we’ve got activities lined up for all the family including a teddy bears’ picnic, a bear wish tree and treasure hunt. There will be also be live link up at 12pm from China with Jill.

And of course we could never forget our four-legged friends who are very welcome in the grounds (on leads) with a fun dog competition (judged by Peter Egan) with over four different categories including scruffiest dog, veteran dog, happiest dog and if you are feeling brave enough a dog and human lookalikes!

Every single one of you is a vital part of our journey and we’d like to thank you at our fun bear day. So please come along and join the fun!

Read more about our family bear day here. We hope to see you there.
]]> http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130318-055803 No Author Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:58:03 GMT http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130309-161334
“It always fills me with great joy and gratitude to see the commitment of our supporters, especially when it involves children who care about the suffering of animals. On 22 February, students at the Robert Schumann School in Luxembourg presented a fantastic cheque for €1,100 to Denise Kirchen, our tireless friend and representative.

“Late last year, Denise was invited to talk to the students in classes 701, 702 and 705 about the moon bears in China and their sad fate and endless suffering. After an exhibition and screening of our DVD describing our work, the 60 students were so moved that they immediately decided to make a contribution to support the bears.

“Guided by their teachers, they baked a huge pile of bear-cookies and hand sewed their own stuffed bears to sell during the school’s Christmas market. They also put together an exhibition of bear-related artwork and Animals Asia photographs.










“The proceeds of this wonderful action was a whopping €1,100, which was immediately transferred to the donation account of Animals Asia in Luxembourg to provide much-needed medical care and toys for our six newly rescued bears in Chengdu.




“Dear students of classes 701, 702 and 705 – thank you so much for your creativity! You did a wonderful job and made an important contribution for the bears. Bear hugs also to the teachers for their commitment to animals and, of course, especially to our own Denise Kirchen!”

Thank you all – so very much – for being on this journey, until bear farming ends....

]]> http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130309-161334 No Author Sat, 09 Mar 2013 22:13:34 GMT http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130213-050956


]]> http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130213-050956 No Author Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:09:56 GMT http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130210-132031




Meeting three of our Dr Dog volunteers and their beautiful canine therapists, our first stop was up a couple of floors and into the little room of Mr Lei Shue Dei who is a sprightly, and very cuddly, 78 years old!




Mr Lei is a master of Chinese paper cutting, and after enjoying a few hugs and games with the dogs, he invited us to go back downstairs to the lobby (where there was more room) in order to teach us how to make the words for "spring" and "Chinese New Year".





Peter was first to finish, and we all proudly showed off our work of art while Mr Lei rather politely laughed and congratulated us on a pretty clumsy, but no less enthusiastic, effort. At one point Peter was delighted to be serenaded by another resident who sang Chinese opera and showed off a loud and tuneful voice.

One of the things we'd just noticed in Mr Lei's room was that had been watching his little TV on a simple wooden chair and we all felt that he could do with something more comfortable to enjoy his relaxation and rest.

A plot was hatched. Back at our bear sanctuary we spoke to all staff asking if everyone would like to contribute just a couple of RMB (a penny/cent or two) in order to surprise Mr Lei with his very own comfy chair. Before we knew it the funds had come in and Suki, Jenny and Saber all swung in to action and kindly found a chair with a foot rest that would be just the job.

Just this past week, with the care centre's permission and help, we all knocked on Mr Lei's door with his Chinese New Year surprise. Unfortunately the chair came flat packed but, luckily for us, one of the Dr Dog volunteers and a centre employee knew exactly what to do and, before long, the comfy chair was made!




The pictures say it all - and although they show Mr Lei trying it out, it's clear that his little body needs some bolstering for extra comfort and, as I write, Suki and team are now arranging a nice plump cushion - and a blanket - so that he is warm and snug for the Spring Festival.




A big thank you to all our kind hearted staff in Chengdu for contributing to such a special surprise for one very sweet elderly gentleman, who showed us such hospitality and talent and another interesting side of Chinese life.




A big thank you to Mr Lei, who made for us this beautiful Chinese New Year poster of good luck wishes.

And of course a very warm and happy Lunar New Year to you from us all at Animals Asia.



]]> http://blog.animalsasia.org/~aafblog/blog_en/index.php?entry=entry130210-132031 No Author Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:20:31 GMT