ABRACADABRA TEDDY BEARS
8A CROSS STREET, SAFFRON WALDEN, ESSEX CB10 1EX. TEL/FAX +44 (0)1799 527222
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ABRACADABRA TEDDY BEARS 8A CROSS STREET, SAFFRON WALDEN, ESSEX CB10 1EX. TEL/FAX +44 (0)1799 527222
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CHARITY AUCTIONS 2003 - 2011 FUND RAISING FOR THE CHINA BEAR RESCUE CENTRE.
In October 2003 we started an on-line auction of the work of some of the world's best known bear artists. Since then more and more artists have come forward with offers of beautiful bears to auction towards this campaign. So far we have auctioned bears made by Helen West, Karin Conradi, Barbara Ann Cunningham, Jacqueline Winter, Sandra Wickenden, Sue Schoen, Gregory Gyllenship, Jo-Anne Pennick, Janet Changfoot, Miriam Baker, Ece Hanson, Beatrix Harries, Diane Kennedy, the Ashburners, Christine Pike, Victoria Allum, Amanda MacGregor, Mary Dowd, Sandra Hobbs, Birgit Schmoede, Deborah Beardsley Elertson, Vivianne Galli, Andrea Brewer, Hannelore Daab, Anjo Noija-Nehmelman, Peng Peng Clayman, Maria Collin, Mikki Klug, Ruth Bowman and Lotta French. Thanks to the generosity of the above artists and to those collectors who have donated bears from their own collection, the total amount raised so far for the Moon Bear Rescue is GBP48,305.
OVERVIEW In farms across China, Asiatic Black Bears are imprisoned for up to 22 years in tiny metal cages no bigger than their own bodies. (The most recent government figure is 7,002 farmed bears). Known as Moon Bears because of the beautiful golden crescents on their chests, these bears are milked daily for their bile through rusting metal catheters implanted deep into their gallbladders, or via permanently open infected holes in their abdomens through which bile weeps - known as the "free-dripping" technique. The bears live a life of torture before dying agonisingly slowly as a result of chronic infection. Following her horrific discovery of bear farming in 1993, Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE, began tireless work within China, resolutely building relationships and negotiation with government departments to bring an end to this cruel practice. Jill's dedication and skill in handling culturally sensitive matters led to the signing of a landmark agreement in July 2000 with the China Wildlife Conservations Association and the Sichuan Forestry Department. The agreement pledges to free 500 Moon Bears in Sichuan and to work towards the total elimination of bear farming. Sanctioned by the Central Government Department in Beijing, this historic agreement was the first accord between the Chinese Government and any outside animal welfare organisation. Since October 2000, 42 farms have been closed down by the government and over 219 bears released into the care of Animals Asia in their Rescue Centre in Sichuan. The bears arrive in the most shocking condition - bone thin, desperately ill and terrified, they are all in urgent need of veterinary attention, extensive surgery and tender loving care. The ongoing rehabilitation of the bears takes many months - physiotherapy with sweet treats encourages them to stretch and climb, strengthening wasted muscles and building confidence. The integration of rescued bears is carefully monitored by the team. Not all bears enjoy the company of others and every effort is made to accommodate each individual's needs and to gently introduce them to new friends. Many of the bears have now formed lasting friendships with their den mates and happily play together before falling exhausted into their hanging basket beds! Extra care and consideration is given to placing their disabled bears, ensuring that those missing limbs or with special needs feel safe and secure in the company of other bears with similar disabilities. Sadly these bears cannot be released into the wild, many are defenceless or disabled, others were bred in captivity or snared as cubs and thus have not learnt vital survival skills from their mothers. Animals Asia has constructed the first phase of a permanent sanctuary on a beautiful piece of bamboo forest where these bears are living out their lives free from pain and fear.
This is a photo of Jill Robinson MBE, the founder of Animals Asia Foundation, greeting Jasper as he arrives from a bear farm. Jasper had spent his life in this cage with a metal catheter permanently inserted into his gall bladder. He was "milked" twice daily for bile which is used in the manufacture of Chinese medicines.
This is Jasper today. Thanks to the work of Animals Asia, he and other rescued bears are living out their lives in a semi-natural sanctuary after undergoing expert veterinary care and physiotherapy to help them gain strength after being caged for so long.
GOODBYE TO ANDREW
Andrew, the first bear to be rescued by Animals Asia over 5 years ago and a symbol of hope for all the bears who are still on bear farms throughout China passed away and was cremated on Wednesday 9th February 2006 after a long fight with liver cancer - believed to be the result of the treatment he suffered whilst in captivity.
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