Officially established in 1998, Animals Asia campaigns for improved conditions and rights for various species across Asia. It operates award-winning sanctuaries in Vietnam and China (and is the only organization with a bear sanctuary in the latter).

These sanctuaries are home to hundreds of bears who were rescued from the bile trade.

What is bile farming?

In order to extract bile from their gallbladders, bears are subject to invasive, painful procedures. The bile, thought to have healing properties, is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It also appears in some household products like shampoo and toothpaste.

Demand for bile products comes predominantly from Asia, but such items are also found in Australia, Canada, and the US.

According to Animals Asia, the “cruel” trade is a source of “extreme suffering” for thousands of bears across the world’s largest and most populous continent.

One of the most “humane” bile extraction methods involves creating a permanent open passage in the animals’ gallbladder via their abdomen. The surgery – rarely performed by a veterinarian – often results in infections, many of which become fatal.

The way the animals are housed is similarly disturbing, the charity says. Bears are permanently kept in metal cages; many are so small that bears are left unable to turn around or stand on all fours.

Some bears are caged as cubs, and held captive for up to 30 years.

Rescuing bears from bile farms

Animals Asia has rescued 640 bears from the trade to date. With its bear rescue center in Tam Dao, Vietnam, approaching capacity, the nonprofit has announced a new sanctuary that will take in all of the remaining farmed bears in Vietnam.

The 12-hectare sanctuary, situated in the mountainous surroundings of the Bach Ma National Park, will be unveiled tomorrow (May 27). And when all farmed bears in Vietnam are freed and released into the sanctuary, the country’s bear bile trade will officially be history.

“This is a proud moment for humanity, Animals Asia, Vietnam, and our supporters around the
world”, commented Animals Asia founder and CEO Jill Robinson. “Together, in collaboration with the Vietnam government, we bring about this milestone in protecting wildlife across the country.”

In 2017, Animals Asia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Vietnamese government, committing to the closure of all bear farms in Vietnam.

The MOU outlined an agreement between the two parties, which would see them working together to free the then-1,000 animals who were still in the industry.

Speaking on the new sanctuary, Robinson added: “Today we show that courage, empathy, tenacity, and determination have brought about significant change, as we step up and demonstrate the way forward in helping to save the world’s vulnerable species.”

Celebrity support

A wealth of high-profile names have thrown their support behind Animals Asia and its efforts, including Dame Judi Dench, Alan Cumming, Stephen Fry, James Cromwell, Slash, Kesha, and Peter Egan.

Actors Tara Buck (True Blood), Torrey DeVitto (The Vampire Diaries, Chicago Med), and Marina Squerciati (Chicago P.D) are all in Vietnam to celebrate the unveiling of the sanctuary. They’re joined by television personality Josh Packham (Love Island), photographer Katarina
Benzova, and actor Tang Thanh Ha (Mỹ Nhân Kế).

In a video seen by Plant Based News, Ricky Gervais (who just donated £142,414.47 to Animals Asia), asked the public to “stand by them in this mission” and “raise their paw for the moon bear.”

Dr. Jane Goodall offered her “warm congratulations” to the nonprofit. “Animals Asia is ending bear bile farming in Vietnam,” she said. “To protect these beautiful moon bears, please help Animals Asia build this last bear sanctuary and make sure that in Vietnam, there will be no bear left behind.”

The post Vietnam’s Bile Trade Will Soon Be History As Last 310 Bears Are Rescued appeared first on Plant Based News.

A family of Bengal tigers called Messi, Sandro, Mafalda, and Gustavo lived in a metal train carriage for more than 15 years before they were rescued. 

A traveling circus abandoned a now 18-year-old male and 15-year-old female tiger in San Luis, Argentina, in 2007. A local farmer agreed to look after the pair for a temporary period, but the circus never returned.

The tigers eventually had two cubs, and the family of four lived in captivity for years.

Now, the animals reside at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, South Africa. The facility, home to more than 100 big cats, is a project of FOUR PAWS, a global animal protection organization.

“The train carriage was filthy with excrements and leftover meat and bones for a long time but fortunately this is not the case anymore,” said FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, who led the rescue mission.

“Tigers need to move, run, play, and bathe. Being locked in a 75m² train carriage and only pacing back and forth for 15 years is not a tiger-worthy life. All those years in such a small space have affected their mental and physical wellbeing for sure.”

There are just 3,900 tigers left in the wild today, FOUR PAWS says on its website. “Live tigers are shipped across the world to be kept as pets and abused for human entertainment in circuses, zoos or for paid interactions.”

“Tigers and other big cat species are killed for their skin, fur, bones, and teeth,” the organization said.

FOUR PAWS CEO Josef Pfabigan added: “By rescuing these four tigers in Argentina, we provide a better life for them individually and create awareness for all animals globally to be treated with respect, empathy and understanding.”

Lions freed from French circus

Last month, a similar rescue operation took place in France. The Born Free Foundation, an international wildlife charity, orchestrated the rescue of four lions who had been forced to perform in a traveling circus.

A circus owner surrendered the animals – Angela, Bellone, Louga, and Saïda – in 2018. Now, after years of pandemic-related delays, the cats have completed the 9,000-mile journey to their new home. 

Growing up in captivity has rendered the animals unfit for being released into the wild, Born Free says. And so, Shamwari Reserve, located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, took the big cats in.

It’s “the next best thing to the wild,” Born Free maintains.

“Born into captivity, they were each sold as cubs from one French circus to another, and for years they were constantly on the move, forced to perform unnatural tricks in front of noisy crowds – music blaring, lights flashing, the organization explains. “Their only home was a rusty trailer, with barely room to turn around.”

According to Born Free, it was a “miserable, deprived existence.”

Catherine Gillson, Born Free Manager at the Shamwari Reserve, said in a statement: “We have a large natural bush enclosure with space the size of possibly two rugby fields for them, space that they have never experienced in their life, with natural vegetation, with the sights and sounds and smells of Africa.”

The post 8 Big Cats Rescued From Circuses Arrive At Wildlife Sanctuaries In South Africa appeared first on Plant Based News.

Farm animal sanctuary Pigs in the Woods teamed up with vegan cider brand Orchard Pig to bring the concept to life.

The event will take place at the 10-acre sanctuary, located in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Around 20 pigs live on the property, and they will be free to roam the festival grounds and interact with attendees.

Many of the animals were saved from slaughter. For instance, Angel the pig, mother of two pigs who are also at the sanctuary, was rescued from a petting farm. Since the pig family were no longer being used, they were due to be killed.

Another resident, Harry the pig, has been saved from slaughter twice within his first three months of life. Since he was the runt of the litter, he was due to be discarded as waste. And Florence was set to be euthanized by a city farm before she found a home at the sanctuary.

Related articles…

‘Pigs deserve a home’

Orchard Pig Gig will feature local plant-based food, as well as jazz, rap, and classical music performances.

“Our pigs are one of a kind and love to socialize and dance to music,” said Russell Haggata, Operations Director and Chairman at Pigs in The Wood.

“They can’t wait for this year’s Orchard Pig Gig. Our sanctuary wouldn’t exist without the generosity of donations, and we’re aiming to raise over £50,000 to improve the facilities for our pigs so that everyone can experience the joy these animals can bring,” he continued.

Emily Gray, Brand Manager at Orchard Pig, added: “Just like people, pigs deserve a home, and we believe they also deserve to party.”

The post World’s First ‘Festival For Pigs’ Arrives In UK, And It’s Vegan appeared first on Plant Based News.

A dog walker discovered the pig feeding her babies, who are estimated to be around 3-weeks-old, in a wooded area in Nottinghamshire.

She contacted Brinsley Animal Rescue. The charity, which has named the pig Matilda, requested to take the pigs to safety rather than returning them to the farm where they would be slaughtered. Volunteers from the charity had been bringing the pig food and water while they waited for a response.

Following widespread coverage of the story, farm workers took the pig family back to the property they came from. Workers at the farm, which supplies meat to major UK retailer Marks & Spencer, had not noticed the pig was missing.

Matilda The Pig

Brinsley Animal Rescue began a petition to help save the animals from slaughter. More than 5,000 people signed it within a day. Additionally, many pledged to boycott Marks & Spencer until it allowed for the release of the animals. Today, the charity was granted permission to rescue the pigs.

The pigs are being taken to Surge Sanctuary, where they will live out the rest of their lives. The sanctuary has only been operating for one year but is already home to more than 100 rescued animals.

Jon Beresford, who runs Brinsley Animal Rescue, told the BBC: “Matilda’s maternal instinct has driven her to escape from a commercial farm. Pigs are incredibly intelligent creatures and they have a huge maternal drive.”

The charity posted on Instagram to thank the public and media outlets for the support.

It added: “We also thank the farm for allowing us to rescue this courageous girl and her beautiful babies. We will update you and I think Matilda herself wants to say a big, big thank you, too.”

The post Viral Petition Sees Pig Who Escaped Farm To Birth 10 Piglets Re-Homed In Animal Sanctuary appeared first on Plant Based News.

Titled ‘INDIGO’, the Shaun Monson-directed film features Phoenix and his journey to rescue a cow and her calf from Manning Beef in California.

Additionally, it includes Phoenix’s visit to the rescued animals which now live at Farm Sanctuary. It was released on Earth Day this week.

Joaquin Phoenix

Phoenix named the cows after his sister, Liberty, and nephew Indigo – who passed away several years ago.

The rescue came after LA Animal Save called the Joker star following his famous Oscars speech last year.

In the film, Phoenix talks frankly about the rescue. He said: “The baby seemed kind of frozen in fear…

“You really get a sense of what they must be feeling – how terrifying their lives have been this far.”

He explained that once he dropped them off at Farm Sanctuary, the animals were nervous and skittish.

However, he got the chance to meet some of the other rescued cows. And, the video shows him interacting with them. ‘There was clearly a unique soul in there’, he said.

Farm Sanctuary visit

‘It came as a great release in knowing they were rescued from this factory of death, that they’d be rescued from imminent slaughter. 

‘And yet it felt a little bit unresolved because I wanted to see them completely liberated. I wanted to see them as free as possible’, he added in the film.

A year on, he revisited the cows with his sisters. He said ‘it was incredible to see them’ in their natural behavior.

Following the rescue, Joaquin Phoenix received a PETA major award for the ‘Most Inspiring Act Of Kindness To Animals’.

Animal agriculture

Phoenix explained the environmental detriment of animal agriculture is ‘undeniable’.

He added: “It’s also an acknowledgment of not only the destruction they feel at our hands but the environment as a whole.

“By our actions, we either have the choice to continue to destroy other beings and the environment. Or – we begin the process of reversing the damage that we’ve done.”

Phoenix in INDIGO

The documentary ends with hard-hitting statistics regarding global meat consumption and its impact on the environment.

Meat production is estimated to ‘double’ by 2050, it states. This is a vast increase on the already ’80 billion animals currently slaughtered every year’.

Moreover, it concludes: ‘Climate change is imminent if we do not adopt a plant-based lifestyle’.

You can find out more about Farm Sanctuary here

The post Joaquin Phoenix Documentary Details Slaughterhouse Cow Rescue And Impact Of Animal Agriculture appeared first on Plant Based News.

Orange Twins Rescue will open in Los Angeles, California, with a mission to ‘advocate and rescue any animal in need’.

Grande told her 206 million Instagram followers she is ‘so happy, proud and excited’ for the launch. Reports suggest the singer owns nearly a dozen rescued pets.

On trend

Grande pointed her Instagram followers to her centre’s page, and teased that a website would be ‘coming soon’.

Orange Twins Rescue has already attracted over 50,000 followers on Instagram – meaning unwanted pets in the L.A area could be snapped up in no time.

But animal rights activists have warned pets are ‘for life, not just for quarantine’.

This comes as the current covid-19 crisis has seen a surge in animal adoptions in both the U.K and the U.S.

Is Ariana Grande vegan?

Despite promoting a ‘full plant-based, whole food diet’ in the past, Grande is not 100 percent vegan.

Fans blasted her last year after she promoted a Starbucks drink that contained egg whites.

Grande posted a photo of herself with the drink and tagged #trythesoyversion – only for the company to confirm it was impossible to make the drink vegan.

The post Ariana Grande Announces Launch Of Animal Rescue Center appeared first on Plant Based News.

Vegan brand Sun and Sage Ethical Vegan Clothing has announced it has been donating a percentage of its profit to rescue sick animals in Bali.

Founded by Aron Hughes, the company has helped raise nearly $8,000 in rescue costs since starting up in 2017.

‘Choosing compassion’

Speaking to Plant Based News, Hughes said: “When I first arrived in Bali, I was shocked to see the number of street animals suffering and in need of help…

“I thought if I can rescue these animals, while linking it to the wider message of choosing compassion for all animals, I can truly make a difference.”

‘Growing number of vegans’

He added: “There are a few reasons for doing it. My instinct tells me if I see an animal suffering, I should help them…

“Every day I get motivated, not just by the animals, but by the kind words of so many people who are encouraging me.”

Hughes also explained that his charity work was inspired by the ‘growing number of vegans in the world’ and that he hopes his products can help ‘spark conversations about veganism’.

You can follow Sun And Sage Clothing on Instagram for updates here

The post Vegan Clothing Brand Uses Profits To Help Rescue Street Animals In Bali appeared first on Plant Based News.

Several animal shelters in England and America have seen a surge in adoptions as the coronavirus (covid 19) crisis continues.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home announced last week (between March 16 and March 22) 86 dogs and 69 cats were adopted – in comparison to 42 dogs and 29 cats over the same week last year.

One of the animals now in her ‘forever home’ includes four-year-old mongrel Tulip, who had been in the shelter for more than 100 days.

‘Running out of dogs’

All Dogs Matter, an animal charity based in London has also said the number of foster dog requests has increased during the pandemic and has had to put up a notice saying it has enough fosterers in place for the time being.

According to Bloomberg, New York City is ‘running out of dogs to foster’ – with shelters such as Muddy Paws Rescue and Best Friends Animal Society reportedly dealing with a surge in foster applications.

‘A dog is for life’

Many animal-rights activists have taken to social media to express concern at the spike in animal adoptions, stating ‘a dog is for life, not just for quarantine’.

One Twitter user wrote: “What becomes of these pets when quarantine is lifted? Animals are not disposable.”

While another said: “Great news. I just hope some people won’t bring the dogs back to the shelter, when it’s no longer needed to hunker down at home.”

Battersea has since closed its doors for the ‘forseeable’ due to the coronavirus lockdown, and will only ‘accept rescue animals in emergencies’

The post Animal Shelters See Surge In Adoptions Amid Coronavirus Pandemic appeared first on Plant Based News.