Sussex Vet Marc Abraham Off To China To Help The Moon Bears

Jill and Jasper the bear. Image ©AAF TV vet and author Marc Abraham volunteering with ground breaking charity Animals Asia to raise awareness about barbaric bear bile trade Did you know that over 10,000 bears – mainly Moon bears – are kept in tiny cages on ‘bile farms’ in China and Vietnam; often cages so small that they’re unable to even turn around or stand on all fours? Moon bear’s bile is much sought after in Chinese traditional medicine and extracted using various painful, invasive techniques, all of which cause massive internal infections. Bears are ‘milked’ regularly for their bile, and kept caged like this for up to 30 years – often their whole lives. Most farmed Moon bears are starved, dehydrated, and suffer multiple diseases and malignant tumours that ultimately kill them; so charity Animals Asia, founded by Jill Robinson MBE in 1994, is now devoted to ending this barbaric practice as well as helping improve the welfare of animals in China and Vietnam. Vet, author, and current holder of CEVA’s Special Recognition Award for Animal Welfare, Marc Abraham who regularly gives pet advice on TV, radio, and local schools, says “I’ve long been a fan of the incredible work Jill and her brilliant Animals Asia team are doing in China and I’m so excited about getting involved and witnessing it all first-hand.” Animal welfare campaigner Marc, who’s currently lobbying the UK Government to end puppy farming with his PupAid.org e-petition currently on 80,000 signatures, continues “Most traditional forms of animal cruelty, e.g. bile farming, continue despite availability of a large number of effective and affordable herbal and synthetic alternatives. Just like puppy farming it’s often raising public awareness that makes the biggest impact in reducing demand and stopping the trade.” Animals Asia CEO, Jill Robinson says “We’re thrilled to welcome TV vet Marc Abraham on site and excited that he’ll get the chance to assist our resident vet at one of the weekly health checks on our rescued bears where he will be able to see for himself the effects of the horrors inflicted on these stoic animals during their years of abuse on bear bile farms. “Marc is particularly well known for his amazing work with dog welfare and his tireless efforts to abolish puppy farms. We are looking forward to introducing him to some of our Dr Dogs (assistance dogs) and the work they do to improve the lives of so many vulnerable and lonely people. Marc’s a tireless ambassador for animal welfare and we are very grateful that he is taking the time to see Animals Asia’s work on the ground in China.” Moon bears rescued and rehabilitated by Animals Asia are then released into a beautiful purpose built sanctuary and fed fruit, vegetables, nuts, and dog biscuits. ‘Enrichment foods’ such as yoghurt, jam, honey, and fermented tofu are spread around enclosures encouraging these highly intelligent creatures to forage, keeping them busy and stimulated throughout the day and reducing behavioural problems too. Jasper the bear relaxing. Image ©AAF Furthermore with no competition for food, most adapt easily to living in fairly large social groups, with some preferring to keep their own company. Sadly, many of the rescued bears in the sanctuary pass away due to health problems caused by effects of long-term confinement in tiny cages, surgical mutilation, and bile extraction methods they suffer on the farms rather than old age. For more info about Animals Asia visit www.animalsasia.org and follow @marcthevet on Twitter for live updates from China.

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