| China Bear Rescue |
 This year a percentage from the proceeds of the "Babes of the World calendar" will be donated to the China Bear Rescue ProjectIn 1993, Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE, walked onto a bear bile farm in China: this was her horrified reaction at what she saw: "It's a torture chamber, it's a hell hole for animals. As you can see they literally can't move, they can't stand up, they can't turn around, they can just about put their paws out of the cage to feed themselves." Jill was witnessing Asiatic Black Bears (also known as Moon Bears because of the yellow crescent of fur splashed on their chests) incarcerated in tiny wire cages, with rusting metal catheters implanted in their abdomens through which bile was being extracted for use in Traditional Medicine. Medicine that, she later discovered is completely replaceable by cheaper herbs and synthetics. Jill began tireless work in China, resolutely building relationships and negotiating with government departments to bring an end to this cruel practice. The hard work paid off! In July 2000, Animals Asia signed a landmark agreement with the Chinese Authorities to rescue 500 suffering Moon Bears in Sichuan Province, to work towards the future elimination of bear farming in China and to promote the herbal alternatives to bear bile. This historic agreement was the first accord between the Chinese Government and any outside animal welfare organization. If you would like to find out more please visit the AnimalsAsia website at: |