Jill Robinson’s Animals Asia has now rescued 708 bears

^{Jill Robinson at the Animals Asia sanctuary in Chengdu All photos: AAF}

A total of 708 bears have been rescued by Jill Robinson’s Animals Asia since 2000, she tells SAI KUNG BUZZ. These animals were confined in Vietnam and China in cages so small they can’t move while catheters were inserted without anaesthetic in their bile glands. Jill and her colleagues have rescued them all and in the opinion of this BUZZ editor, she deserves to be ennobled.

^{Hector relaxing on the grass}

Jill has worked for years to end bear bile farming in Vietnam and China with some success: “In Vietnam our memorandum of understanding with the government in 2017 led to our agreement to end bear bile farming country wide by 2026.” Jill said they continue to work with the government and “sensitively” with the farmers to rescue the remaining 150 caged bears by the end of this year. They are taking a holistic approach in Vietnam arranging with the Traditional Medicine Association to no longer prescribe or sell bear bile. They have an agreement to work with Cocoon, a business group, to produce herbal rubbing balm to take the place of bear bile. “We also work with Vietnamese schools to grow herbal plant alternatives in their gardens.” She preferred to keep what is going on in China confidential.

^{Tatzi, who at 37, is believed to be the oldest moon bear in the world, enjoying a bath}

Now Animals Asia has 178 bears living happily in leafy sanctuaries in Tam Dao and Bach Ma, Vietnam and 85 in Chengdu, China. Jill said in the Chengdu sanctuary we have “the gorgeous Tatzi, who at 37, we believe is the oldest moon bear in the world and still going strong.”

^{The only cure is kindness: 12,000 bears need rescuing from evil, cruel bile farms, Animals Asia says}

In South Korea, the government has banned bear bile farming. “Today there are approximately 200 bears remaining on 11 farms. Local groups are working hard to create sanctuaries for the last of the caged bears.” Less than 100 bears remain on farms in both Laos and Myanmar.

^{The disgusting conditions bile bears are kept in} 

Jill, often seen wearing a black AAF T-shirt with the slogan “Let A Bear Shit in the Woods”,  has been awarded the MBE for her sterling efforts. You can donate by visiting www.animalsasia.org and you will find a lot more information there. Some of it will bring tears to your eyes.