In Chengdu in March 2008, we witnessed the arrival of probably the worst group of bears we had ever seen. Over the months that followed, 18 of those 28 bears lost their lives - victims of an industry which should be termed as criminal, considering the agony and destruction that it spawns.
Among those poor poor bears, a blind and lethargic soul lay in his cage. Broken and suffering, we nicknamed him Watermelon after the only piece of fruit he would lick on that unforgettable night.
Over the next few months, Watermelon was renamed Wilfred by his kind sponsor and a forgiving, fun loving bear emerged. Despite the expertise of our veterinary staff - and that of kind Ophthalmologists Claudia and David (and nurse Kerry) from the UK's Animal Health Trust who so desperately wanted to give him the gift of sight, it wasn't to be and Wilfred remains blind.
You would never know. Today he is a happy and contented bear who potters around his enclosure in House 8, and has formed a close friendship with several of the other bears. One of his best friends
is the gorgeous Mityan - another blind bear, and when Jill came across these two boys gently playing together,she couldn't resist getting our her camera.
Click on the image above to see these two very special bears and remember - it is your support that got them here today!
