Hong Kong vet nurse Christie Wong spent three months volunteering at Animals Asia’s Chengdu sanctuary – an experience she will never forget.

By Christie Wong Vet Nurse Volunteer

Animals Asia's wonderful work in animal welfare and in rescuing bears has long since been my inspiration and motivation to make helping animals my career.

I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have volunteered there, and to have worked with and learned from their amazing team of staff. Indeed it was a very rewarding three months volunteering at the China Bear Rescue Center.

Working with these beautiful large animals was a very different learning  experience for me as it requires lots of careful observational skills done from afar to try to pick up even the subtlest signs of problems.

I joined the vet in rounds where we observed bears coming out of their dens during feeding time, especially those that were previously diagnosed with osteoarthritis, to monitor their response to treatment and disease progression.

The bears that are more affected by arthritis are managed with anti-inflammatory and pain medications, and their dens are specially constructed so their sleeping baskets are lower and they are assisted with soft, non-slip mats and ladders.

Every bit of the vet team's and bear manager's daily work is dedicated to making sure the animals in their care are comfortable and content. They go to great lengths in formulating different enrichment items and activities to keep the bears physically and mentally engaged.

I assisted the vet with dental extractions for brown bear Iris and after the procedure, my back and arms experienced muscle soreness and I was so exhausted I had to lie down for my shower, but it was all worth it for the bear – no more toothache.

It made me realize how amazing the team is, especially when they are on rescues, as they sometimes don't have the luxury of a surgical table or lights, and have to improvise on site in less than ideal environments. If the bears need emergency health checks, surgeries or lengthy dental procedures to alleviate pain or suffering during a rescue, these back-breaking procedures will have to be performed on the concrete floor or even on the back of a truck.

As a volunteer I witnessed first hand the significance of their work in saving bears that were previously subjected to horrendous and unimaginable cruelty. After rescue they enjoy the sun while resting on swings and hammocks, splashing about in pools on a hot day, rubbing their faces on their favourite enrichment items, foraging, digging holes in their grassy enclosures, and playing with their favourite bear friends. 

It was so amazing and heart-warming to see the survivors of bear bile farms, with their traumatic pasts far behind them, now able to really enjoy life as happy bears. Three months at CBRC was almost too short – I really wish to volunteer again in the future.

If you would like to volunteer at one of Animals Asia’s sanctuaries in China or Vietnam, positions are available for those with the relevant qualifications and a love of animals. Find out more here.

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