On Saturday evening, October 14, 2017, celebrated actress and animal activist Maggie Q joined Animals Asia to honor the organization’s accomplishments at the “Bear Tales” Charity Gala in Hong Kong.

The black tie event was held at KITEC-Glass Pavilion and saw an international crowd come together for a cruelty-free gourmet dinner of vegan food created by celebrity chef Esther Sham, cocktails, entertainment, and auctions.

Maggie Q flew to Hong Kong from filming in Canada just to attend the event, and offer a speech in support of the bears.

The crowd of distinguished guests included Animals Asia Ambassador Jane Gottschalk, co-founder of popular coconut water brand Jax Coco, who also gave a speech as part of the evening’s program.

Spotted amongst those celebrating the bears were socialites Annabelle Bond, a famed adventurer and activist best known for her Mount Everest climb, and her sister Lucy Bond-Marriott, also an adventurer who has taken on a number of desert races including the Gobi March.

Guests also included Septime Webre, Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Ballet; Robert T. Grieves, Chairman of Hamilton Advisors; Anne LeBourgeois, Managing Director of Hamilton Advisors; Moira Moser, Founder and Chairman of M. Moser Associates Limited; Chris Heady, Senior Managing Director and Head of Real Estate Asia for Blackstone; and model and yoga teacher Almen Wong.

International media also attended the event that saw Animals Asia’s staff from countries throughout Asia and around the globe come together to toast the bears that inspire them to work so hard to end the animals’ suffering.

Special guest, Animals Asia Ambassador Maggie Q said:

"Bear bile farming and moon bear rescue and rehabilitation is a massive effort on every level. Animals Asia has not only exposed the utter cruelty and devastation of this awful trade, but works closely with the Chinese and Vietnamese governments on policy and far reaching education programmes to help and protect both captive and wild bears. Because of their efforts, Animals Asia has announced this year that Vietnam will end this cruel trade by 2022."

Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:

“So many thanks to all who came out to cheer on the bears and Animals Asia’s work to put an end to bear bile farming. The ‘Bear Tales’ charity gala was a fantastic night, filled with staff and supporters who came from near and far to celebrate with us, and declare once again in no uncertain terms, we are not done until the cruelty ends.”

In Asia, more than 11,000 bears (mostly moon bears, but also sun bears and brown bears) are held in egregious conditions on farms, with their bile painfully extracted. Animals Asia works to put an end to the practice. The organization has rescued more than 600 bears to date in China and Vietnam, who have come to Animals Asia’s expansive sanctuaries to live out the rest of their lives in peace.

In Vietnam, Animals Asia has just signed an historic agreement with the government to put an end to bear bile farming in the country within 5 years.

Animals Asia’s programs also include a focus on captive animal welfare and cat and dog welfare.

The organization looks forward to celebrating its 20th year anniversary in 2018, with details of global special events to come.

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