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.

After images of the emaciated lions circulated around the world, animal charity FOUR PAWS stepped in to help relocate the animals. 

Severely malnourished

The lions were once enclosed in unsanitary cages. Upon discovery, they were found to be severely malnourished, with visibly protruding ribs and flaccid skin.

According to FOUR PAWS, the economic crisis in Sudan contributed to insufficient financial resources available at the zoo. The zoo owners struggled to provide adequate food and care towards the lions, leading to gross negligence. 

The shocking discovery prompted the animal charity to intervene and deliver urgent care to the emancipated animals. 

‘We had to act quickly’

“We were shocked by the pictures of the gaunt lions. It was clear to us that we had to act quickly because the animals would not last much longer.

As soon as we are on-site, we will provide the severely malnourished lions with proper food and medical care,” said FOUR PAWS veterinarian and head of the emergency mission, Amir Khalil.

“The highest priority at the moment is to stabilize and improve the health condition of the animals, and determine long-term solutions for them.” 

Out of the five lions found, only three responded well to veterinary care and survived to make it out of the zoo.

The rescued lions can finally roam free

With the help of FOUR PAWS and wildlife enthusiasts, the three lions were swiftly relocated to the Al-Bageir animal sanctuary, where they are roaming free and giving birth to new litters of cubs. 

Since being moved to the sanctuary, their health has significantly improved and they are said to be thriving. 

Lions are currently listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and are critically endangered as a result of hunting – there are thought to be as few as 23,000 lions left in the wild.

The post Rescued Lions Thriving At Nature Reserve appeared first on Plant Based News.

All of the animals are at least 17-years-old and have spent their entire lives in tiny barren cages on the ranches.

But now, the animal rights organization has confirmed that they’ll be able to roam free at the Four Paws animal sanctuary in Ninh Binh.

What is bear bile farming?

Bear bile farming is an established industry in Asia, with more than 10,000 bears currently in captivity.

Here, bile is frequently extracted from the livers of live bears to be used in traditional Chinese medicine.

It’s mainly Asiatic black bears, also known as moon bears, that are selected. But Sun bears and brown bears are also frequently used in the industry.

According to Animals Asia, both the conditions and extraction techniques in the trade are incredibly painful. Moreover, it causes “unimaginable physical and psychological suffering and long-term health problems.”

In some regions, the “free-drip” method is implored. This involves cutting a hole in the bears’ gall bladder to insert a permanent catheter.

What remains the same across these bile farms is that all animals are confined to small metal cages. Additionally, they’re often starved and dehydrated in order to maximize bile production.

Later in life, when they are no longer able to produce bile, they are often left to starve to death in their cages. That’s only if they haven’t already died from tumors or disease caused by the gruesome practice.

Various campaigning charities also report witnessing bears with damaged or missing teeth from trying to gnaw their way out.

It is these conditions that have prompted prominent celebrities such as Joaquin Phoenix and Stephen Fry to join welfare charities in the battle to save moon bears from the grim bile trade.

A vital rescue

On February 10 and 11 this week, World Animal Protection is conducting its biggest rescue mission to date.

It’s taking place across three farms in Vietnam – Nguyen Ngoc Tien, Huynh Thi My, and Vu Van Hien. 

All of the farms have agreed to voluntary transfers.Whilst bile extraction has been illegal in Vietnam since 2005, farmers are still allowed to keep the bears as “pets.”

According to the non-profit, this loophole has allowed for illegal bear bile extraction to carry on across the country.

But in partnership with the Forest Protection Department in Vietnam, World Animal Protection has been able to support 135 bear rescues in the country over the past five years. This is comprised of 101 voluntary rescues and 34 “confiscations.”

The ‘lucky ones’

Maya Pastakia is World Animal Protection’s wildlife campaign manager.

In a statement sent to PBN, they said: “This huge milestone means we are now nine bears closer to a bear-bile-free Vietnam.

“Despite the strides made to end bear farming in Vietnam, hundreds of bears are still suffering a torturous life in captivity for their bile. 

“These nine bears were kept in tiny cages – not much larger than a telephone booth – for at least 17 years, which is when they were first microchipped. 

“While they are the ‘lucky ones’ who are now free from cruelty, the scars from their extreme physical and psychological suffering will last their lifetime.

“The government of Vietnam must close all remaining legal loopholes. And, prohibit farmers from keeping their caged bears as pets in order to end the barbaric and illegal practice of bear bile farming.”

Phuong Le Duy, Vietnam consultant for the non-profit, added that most of the bears on the farms are thin, weak, and small due to being poorly fed.

“After meeting these bears in 2019, it’s rewarding to know that their owners have finally listened. And, can give them the peace they deserve after a lifetime of cruelty,” they added.

Issues within traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is thousands of years old and widely considered to be the oldest system of its kind in the world.

It’s centered on a connection to nature and operates on the basis of prevention being the best cure. Additionally, it heavily involves the use of remedies made from plant and animal-derived ingredients.

And, it’s not only China that conducts the practice – with reports in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.

Among the 70 species of animals used to produce treatments are tigers, rhinos, pangolins, and sea horses – as well as black bears.

They’re harvested for their bones, blood, skin, and organs to treat a range of ailments. Many are put through immense suffering as a result and are now at risk of extinction.

Campaigners have long called for government agencies in Asia to develop herbal substitutes for the medicines. There have been notable positivities within this, including a joint assessment between World Animal Protection and the Wildlife Conservation Unit at the University of Oxford.

They found that many regular consumers are “likely to be happy to replace animal-origin medicines with sustainable plant-origin alternatives.”

Doctors are also reportedly favoring prescriptions of plant-derived alternatives.

According to wildlife campaigner Gilbert Sape, of World Animal Protection: “TCM consumers, professionals, scholars, and government agencies must unite to make [development of plant alternatives] happen – and we stand by with them to facilitate this transition.”

This article was updated on 07/02/22 to amend the date that the rescue is now taking place on

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They include JP Farm Animal Sanctuary, The Riley Farm Rescue, Ellie Mae Farm Sanctuary, A Place Called Hope, and Road To Rescue Animal Sanctuary.

1. Zen

As a result of having too much human exposure as a baby, barn owl Zen imprinted on humans. Because of this, his chances of surviving in the wild are small.

Therefore, he is now a permanent resident at A Place Called Hope. Here, he enjoys spending time with his friend, a fellow barred owl called Zuni.

2. Enapai

Enapai was born in Iowa. When she was young, she crashed into the Mississippi River.

As a result, she spent days in the water before she was finally rescued. Due to an injury on her right wingtip, she is now unable to grow flight feathers. This means she is unable to be safely released back into the wild.

Now a permanent resident at A Place Called Hope, her human friend Christine takes her for walks.

3. Ronnie

Ronnie was rescued by Farm Sanctuary when the farmer who had him could no longer care for him. While at JP Farm Sanctuary, Ronnie met Bernie, a fellow male turkey.

Though it can be difficult to home two male turkeys together, Ronnie and Bernie hit it off and are now best friends. They were both adopted by JP Farm Animal Sanctuary and now spend their days together.

4. Blackberry

When the owner of the farm she lived on decided to retire, Blackberry was surrender to Ellie Mae Farm Sanctuary in Connecticut.

At eight years old she had already birthed many calves. All were taken away from her.

Ellie Mae Farm Sanctuary attempted to convince the farmer to surrender Blackberry’s daughter and granddaughter as well, but their attempts were unsuccessful.

Blackberry now enjoys being a caretaker to Ellie Mae and her baby, Zee.

5. Jack Daniels

Jack Daniels, also known as Jack and JD, was rescued when he was just three days old.

He was chained to a wall and standing in his own filth, unable to move around or lie down. The farmer believed he was blind and planned to send him to slaughter the next day.

Luckily, Road To Refuge Animal Sanctuary and Sleepy Pig Farm Sanctuary stepped in and rescued JD and another calf, Redding.

Redding was given a forever home at Sleepy Pig Farm Sanctuary. Additionally, JD, who was very ill, went to live at Road To Refuge Animal Sanctuary.

For weeks after his rescue, JD’s health was touch and go. He almost didn’t pull through, and it turned out he was not in fact blind. He was named Jack Daniels because he is as strong as whiskey.

6. Evan

Evan was born into the dairy industry and was taken away from his mother at birth.

He was seen as simply a byproduct, as most male calves in the dairy industry are.

He was rescued by JP Farm Sanctuary, where he met his best friend, Bruce, a calf around the same age as him. The two were adopted and are now loved and cared for by kind and compassionate humans.

7. Sebastian and Belle

Sebastian and Belle’s mother, Elizabeth, was pregnant with them when she was rescued from a terrible hoarding situation in North Carolina.

Elizabeth was given a forever home at The Riley Farm Rescue. Here, Sebastian, Belle, and their siblings were born. Now, they’ll never be separated from their mother and will only ever know love and compassion.

8. Starlight and Pluto

Starlight had been living on a broken leg for over a year when The Riley Farm Rescue stepped in to get her the help she needed.

Pluto was blind in his right eye and needed to have it removed when he was rescued.

These two rescue horses, who have each faced great challenges, are now inseparable and spend their days grazing the fields at The Riley Farm Rescue together.

9. Finnegan

Finnegan and his friend, Dermott, were just babies when they were due to be sacrificed for a religious holiday.

Thankfully hey were saved and their fate changed. In their forever home at The Riley Farm Rescue, both Finnegan and Dermott will never be thought of as food again.

Finnegan is still shy, but enjoys all of his new goat friends.

10. Cara

JP Farm Animal Sanctuary rescued Cara and five others from a meat farm, where they were destined to be processed as food.

Cara’s son Cody was rescued with her, but he became ill and passed away. Belle, Cara’s best friend who also experienced the loss of her son, was rescued alongside her.

Now, the two spend their days together and enjoying their beautiful forever home. 

Animal sanctuaries

As more animal sanctuaries are being opened up by charities, former dairy farmers, and celebrities, animals such as these are free to enjoy a life without suffering.

The post 10 Amazing Animals You Need To Meet: Their Rescue Stories Told In Photos appeared first on Plant Based News.

The couple now resides in Montecito, California. They showed Winfrey their chicken coop, which features a plaque on the side of a hut that reads ‘Archie’s Chick Inn. Established 2021’.

“I just love rescuing,” Markle – who also adopted a pet dog back in 2018 from animal rescue organization A Dog’s Dream – told Winfrey. 

Oprah Interview 

The two-hour Oprah interview aired in the US on Sunday and has since garnered global media attention.

Markle accused the Royal Family of raising ‘concerns’ about ‘how dark’ Archie’s skin would be before he was born – and said she felt suicidal while living as a senior Royal in the UK.

Speaking about their new life in the States, Prince Harry said: “This year has been crazy for everybody. But, to have outdoor space where I can go for walks with Archie, and we can go for walks as a family and with the dogs, and we can go on hikes.

“We’ll go down to the beach, which is so close – all of these things are just, I guess, the highlight for me is sticking him on the back of the bicycle in his little baby seat and take him on these bike rides, which is something I was never able to do when I was young.

“I can see him on the back, and he’s got his arms out. And he’s like ‘whoo,’ chatting, chatting, chatting, going, ‘palm tree, house,’ and all this sort of stuff.”

Meghan Markle investment 

Last year, Markle made her first-ever public investment.

The former Suits star invested an undisclosed amount in vegan startup Clevr Blends: a company selling instant ‘Super Lattes’ made from oat milk.

Clevr Blends’ plant-based offerings include a Matcha Superlatte, Chai SuperLatte, Golden SuperLatte, Coffee SuperLatte, as well as a travel mug and ‘home ritual kit’. 

Co-founder and CEO Hannah Mendoza added that she was ‘grateful’ for the investment, and ‘couldn’t imagine a more aligned partnership’.

She said: “Entrepreneurs need funding, but they also need advisers who care deeply about what they are building…. Her passion for what we’re creating is palpable.”

The post Oprah Interview: Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Rescued Chickens From Factory Farm appeared first on Plant Based News.

Activists from In Defense of Animals (IDA) and Jindo Love Rescue have saved 28 ‘very scared and tortured’ dogs from being slaughtered.

The animal-welfare organizations discovered the dogs ‘crammed full’ in a truck believed to be heading to the Boknal dog meat festival in South Korea. 

Footage released by IDA shows one activist saying: “We must save them. I can’t let them be killed.” While another asks: “This dog is buried. That’s why they can’t breathe. What should we do?” 

28 dogs en route to slaughter! This is what we saw a few days ago. ALL the dogs are very sick and need your urgent help now. https://t.co/bmWMiv4xFF #EndBoknal #DogMeat pic.twitter.com/yREniCOvYr

— InDefenseOfAnimals (@IDAUSA) August 13, 2019

‘Extreme neglect’

In a statement sent to PEOPLE Magazine, Fleur Dawes, IDA’s Communications Director said: “Our Korean rescue partners got a tip-off about a truck piled high with rusty wire metal cages crammed full of helpless dogs packed together and rushed to the scene. 

“Some dogs were struggling to breathe; they were packed so tightly that they could not move or even turn their heads.

“We saved 28 dogs that night, but we are heartbroken that two dogs have passed away as a result of their extreme neglect. More of the dogs are struggling and urgently need advanced veterinary care—almost all have heartworm which is very expensive to treat. 

Patti Kim of Jindo Love Rescue added: “Rescue is just the first step: all the dogs will need healing, foster care, training, and rehabilitation to make a complete recovery. But after seeing their eyes… how can we not save them?”

IDA predicts it will cost around $1,000 per dog to provide all the animals the basic medical care they need to survive. 

You can make a donation here

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More than 100 exotic animals at a roadside zoo in Canada are to be rescued by Humane Society International (HSI) and the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation – who are working alongside the Montreal SPCA in the seizure of animals from St-Édouard-de-Maskinongé in Quebec.

The owner of the unaccredited facility has been arrested and accused of neglect and cruelty to animals under the Canadian Criminal Code.

If found guilty, the defendant could serve up to five years in prison and face a lifetime ban on having custody or control of any animal.

“We are pleased to play a critical role in getting these deserving animals to safety, with the incredible support of the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation,” said Rebecca Aldworth, Executive Director of Humane Society International/Canada.

‘It was disturbing to see’

“It was disturbing to see this facility. Many of the animals were confined in dark, barren, dilapidated enclosures. Others were living with entirely inadequate shelter with minimal protection from the elements.

“Some of the animals did not even appear to have access to water or proper food and appeared to be suffering from a variety of medical conditions. Some of the animals were showing signs of significant psychological distress including compulsive, constant pacing.”

Aldworth also said the case ‘underscores the importance of strong animal welfare provisions in Canada’s Criminal Code’.

Defending the defenseless

Eric Margolis, Founder of the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation, added: “Our foundation supports organizations that provide care for abused, neglected and abandoned animals, both wild and domesticated.

“We will always support the work of organizations like HSI/Canada and Friends of HSI, who defend those who cannot defend themselves.”

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Animal-rescue organization, Barn Sanctuary, has teamed up with High Noon Entertainment to produce a show that will air on Animal Planet TV.

Filming will begin this month, and the show is scheduled to premiere at the end of this year on the popular American pay television channel.

‘Heartwarming rescue stories’

Barn Sanctuary’s website states the show follows ‘heartwarming rescue stories, unique medical cases, charismatic characters – both human and animal – while shining a light on modern-day farm life’.

“All of us at Barn Sanctuary are thrilled to open our barn doors to Animal Planet’s millions of viewers,” said Dan McKernan, Founder of Barn Sanctuary.

“This show will give farmed animals the chance to be seen in a different light as we rescue, rehabilitate, and provide a loving home to abused and neglected farmed animals.”

‘An enormous and rare opportunity’

Executive Director of Barn Sanctuary, Kelly Holt, said: “There is an enormous and rare opportunity to show the world who these incredible animals are, and we’re touched by the outpouring of excitement for this show.

“The lifesaving work we do at Barn Sanctuary will undoubtedly capture the hearts of millions, and we’re grateful to Animal Planet for the opportunity.”

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Dean Farm Animal Sanctuary, which homes over 130 rescued animals, has set up a fundraiser on JustGiving to help build a new woodland paddock for rescued pigs.

‘We promote compassionate living’

The 62-acre sanctuary in South Wales state online: “We promote compassionate living to reduce animal suffering.”

The sanctuary relies entirely on donations and help from the local community and volunteers, is appealing for funds to fence a new area for its pigs, giving them enough space so they can express natural behaviors.

In total, it will cost £2,208 to clear the old broken fencing and re-fence with posts, stock, and wire, allowing the animals to run around and play.

‘Pigs are very intelligent’

Mary Frankland, founder, and trustee of Dean Farm Trust said: “Pigs are very intelligent and highly sociable animals. Since we have been rescuing them, they have shown us they like to spend their time foraging and rooting and making nests out of twigs and old grass, where they will sleep in the warm nights.

“In the summer months, they wallow in mud to keep themselves cool and to help keep any parasites away. Our pigs also like to rest under the trees and use stumps as scratching posts.”

To make a donation, click here.

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