Led by our fearless leader in Vietnam, Tuan Bendixsen, everyone, but everyone, kicked in to make sure that the bears were safely delivered to our sanctuary, then prioritised for health-checks, before being settled into roomy recovery cages. Here's Tuan, far left, with some of the team and below, our head vet, Heather.
Now waiting for the final hurdle of surgeries before being released into dens and grassy enclosures, our new family members are eagerly scoffing good food and treats never before enjoyed.
Working over the weekend, our teams in Hong Kong and country offices made sure that the updates were sent out quickly to the media and supporters across the world - keeping everyone informed.
The highs have included bears whose characters are quickly shining through their trauma. Bears that like to make "pillows" of their straw. Others who have only been used to watery rice gruel, yet spitting out pieces of watermelon with all the distaste of a 5 star Michelin chef.
Bears like Simon (yes, named after Simon Cowell) who make us smile with a character that seems he is used to getting his own way, but a teddy bear underneath, and Nicole who, bless her lovely big heart, is the the pudgiest female we've ever seen in the history of rescuing bears.
The lows are coming in thick and fast too - poor Noodle who has a terrible injury on his tongue, John who's blind and missing a limb, and of course our beautiful Raspberry who was euthanised on the surgery table on Sunday after we found the most hideous infection ravaging his poor battered body.
Thanks to YOU for your messages of support and encouragement as the rescue goes on. You are everything to these bears as they prepare for the weeks of surgery and recovery ahead.
See here to read about these brave souls and celebrate their new lives, because you cared.
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Our Chengdu sanctuary has seen an exciting new structural addition this week – our Special-Care Area for bears who require some extra help and care as they struggle with the physical legacy of their previous lives on the farm.
Crystal, Jurgen, NIC, Asia, Kroenchen and Bamse have all been moved from their current bear houses into their “retirement home”, which will see them enjoying an environment catering to their special needs as they enter their twilight years.
The new area, comprising two enclosures back to back – River House and Bamboo House – was very kindly donated by Henry Wong and his daughter Kitty Wong of Hong Kong.
Here’s a pic of gorgeous Kroenchen enjoying a specially designed low-to-the-ground hammock.
Please see here for Bear Manager Anna’s report on the new area and some photos and updates about out lovely special care bears from Veterinary Director Heather, Senior Bear Manager Nic and myself.
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Fast on the heels of our conference in Beijing, which saw the attendance of over 250 traditional Chinese medicine doctors, scholars, government officials and policy-makers advocating the alternatives to endangered species, we then saw another exciting event in China – this time in Tianjin, near Beijing (where our beautiful brown bears, Caesar and Emma, were rescued with the help of the local forestry department).
On 22nd December we were joined by the government leaders of 18 provinces – who pledged to be bear-farm free. This accounts for over half of the country and was a groundbreaking step forward in our campaign to end bear farming in China.
A truly remarkable morning – to be sitting together with forestry officials from across the country who made their feelings clear, and were determined never to open their doors to bear farming in the future. In addition, these provinces have given a firm commitment that if farms are found during their investigations, they will close them down, confiscate the bears and place them in our care.
And some encouraging words from Toby Zhang, our China Director of External Affairs:
"Neither CWCA officials nor myself ever expected such a positive response from the provincial officials! It was so obvious from the start that most them agreed with us that bear farming should be ended because it is cruel, because it is potentially harmful to consumers, and because it is a stain on this great nation.
It was also obvious that a lot of them feel proud that they don't have bear farms, and that they have made the decision not to allow this industry in their provinces at all.
I know from my previous experience guiding Chinese visitors visiting our sanctuary, that Chinese people don't want to see the bear bile industry in this country, and this was confirmed again by the officials' response to my presentation on the day we all met."
This is fast becoming a special year for the bears in China, with many more activities planned. Our next step is to build upon this pledge with other provinces in the country – and launch an exciting new venture with doctors and pharmacists of traditional Chinese medicine as part of our Healing without Harm campaign in February of this year. More about that soon....
Please see our media release and web report on the groundbreaking commitment from China's bear-farm free provinces.
2010 is our Year That Matters – please stay with us as we make it matter for the bears.
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What do you do with the hamper itself if you're lucky enough to get a basket full of goodies on Christmas Day? Put it in the loft, offer it to niece Nicole for her toys, or............. fill it with food suiting a bear's taste and give it to the residents of our sanctuary in Chengdu?
The pictures speak for themselves about this novel piece of enrichment, which came all the way back from my quick trip to the UK and ended up in the enclosure of House 2.
I'd jokingly asked Senior Bear Manager Nic if Jasper could have it first and, as we stood on the viewing deck of the House and watched when the den doors opened, who out of 21 bears strolled casually over to gain possession? Of course the man himself.
Sadly for Jasper, he didn't monopolise it for long. Within minutes, elderly Woodley had tottered over to join in the fun, pulling it sneakily from under Jasper's nose and, together with Roberta, enjoyed a gift that doubled in appreciation, with the contents devoured and the hamper destroyed.
Happy New Year to one and all from bearland!
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Hot on the heels of our UK trekkers to Vietnam, came our friends from Oz! Their trip involved several hours on site at our sanctuary in Tam Dao National Park before beginning the trek that would see them heading out of their comfort zone and experiencing the “real” Vietnam.
Although I wasn’t able to be there for this initial visit, I heard from the team how well it had gone – and how much the trekkers were looking forward to starting their incredible journey.
After dinner at a local restaurant, the visitors climbed Tam Dao Mountain. Then they were off – heading out on an unforgettable trek through remote hill tribe villages and experiencing a vivid journey challenging body and mind.
Luckily I was at the sanctuary in Tam Dao when they returned, exhausted but absolutely glowing with excitement that they’d overcome every difficult challenge and had helped the bears with each and every step. It was wonderful to see them and to hear their stories of hours of physical excess, while sharing the lives and homes of local Vietnamese villagers along the way.
Then it was off to the see the bears in their dens one last time and to enjoy the antics of the cublets (Taurus, Angus and Maggie), and to see the incredible progress of one of our latest bear arrivals – “Yen Bai”. Although he wasn’t yet integrated with the bears next door – there was no doubt that he couldn’t wait for this to happen, and all the signs of putting paws and noses through the bars were positive and fun to see.
No one would have guessed the bleakness and boredom of his previous life as he tore around the den shredding his browse, standing on still-wobbly back legs and destroying his toys, showing his audience how their faith and funding has helped him on his way.
As he plunged his bottom into the large water bowl meant for drinking and sat blissfully in the water like a child in a paddling pool it was the perfect way of saying a grateful thank you and fond farewell to our friends from Oz.
Please see here for a report on the trek and some great photos that just might inspire you to join one of our future treks - the next one being organised by our Australian team is to Chengdu and includes hiking through some amazingly beautiful surrounding countryside. And of course a visit to our bears!
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