After spending their life in a cage, with a rusty catheter stuck in the gallbladder, 130 bears from a Chinese bile farm will be entrusted to the care of Animals Asia Animals Asia, the international organization dedicated to the protection of animal rights on the Asian continent, which will convert this facility in China's Nanning province into a nature reserve within two years.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
After spending their life in a cage, with a rusty catheter stuck in the gallbladder, 130 bears on a Chinese bile farm will be entrusted to the care of Animals Asia Animals Asia, the international organization dedicated to the protection of animal rights on the Asian continent, which It will convert this structure of the Nanning cinema province into a natural reserve in the turn of the year.
The historic initiative was born thanks to the request of the same farm, who decided to free the animals he held to extract the raw material of medicines, ointments, soft drinks and shampoos. From 5 May Animals Asia will welcome the first 28 animals, those who most urgently need veterinary assistance. They will be transported in a multi-vehicle convoy to their rescue center in Chengdu, 1.200km from Nanning.
Il transfer of animals it was authorized by the general manager of Flower World, the company that manages the bile farm together with other and other commercial activities owned by the Department for Agricultural and Forestry Policies. His name is Yan Shaohong, and his personal, professional and political decision could represent a historic step towards the definitive closure of the bile farms.
Mr. Yan made this decision out of the desire of his company to abandon an increasingly unpopular and unprofitable business. He was also determined not to sell his bears to other breeders, thus continuing to make the animals suffer cruelly. Here is the story of him:
“In the last two years there has been a lot of discussion in the country about the practice of extracting bile. After many meetings with the management of Flower World, we submitted the conversion project to our superiors receiving approval and support. We also decided to stop investing in the bile industry - it's time for a change. Reselling the bears to other farmers would have paid us back some of the initial investment but we were not satisfied. Some of those we own are sick, others have previously undergone bile extraction and there are also puppies. By moving the bears to another bile farm, their living conditions would not be guaranteed. We had to find good accommodation for them - a trusted partner with extensive experience in the industry. We visited Animals Asia's nature reserve in Chengdu. The center is equipped with comfortable shelters and a large open area that reproduces the natural habitat of bears, a stimulating environment where these specimens will find an abundance of delicious food and clean, spacious kennels. The attention to animals in the Bear Rescue Center confirmed our intention to collaborate with Animals Asia. With this decision we believe that the life of the bears will improve ”.
The event was greeted with enthusiasm by Jill Robinson, founder and president of Animals Asia:
"China has long protested against this cruel practice, now haunted by 87% of the population. The deal is a result of people's growing awareness - increasingly hostile to bile farms - and the breeder's decision reflects the moral commitment to a solution that finally does justice to the bears. We believe it is possible to begin discussions with all the parties represented to promote the definitive closure of the bile farms in China. The release of 130 bears is not an event to be underestimated, because it could create the conditions for something even greater ”.
The project will involve a investment of 5 million dollars from the association, a figure that covers the operations for the rescue of the 28 specimens after the conversion of the farm, and the costs of management and care of the center of Nanning for 3 years. The employees of the bile farm, making use of the skills previously acquired, will remain in their posts while continuing to work for Animals Asia. This is the largest bear rescue ever in history. They called it Peace by Piece, “piece by piece”.
Roberta Ragni
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