Animal welfare charity Animals Asia has announced it will mark November 12 each year as Oliver’s Day – following the death of inspirational brown bear Oliver.

Oliver captured the hearts of people around the world having endured 30 years on Chinese bear bile farms. He was kept in a tiny cage and subject to daily bile extractions for use in traditional Chinese medicine.

When rescued by Animals Asia in 2010, Oliver’s life was saved by roadside surgery to remove his gall bladder. Vets were shocked to find a metal coil embedded deep inside the brown bear’s organ.

Following news of his death, Animals Asia has been inundated with messages of condolence with supporters, volunteers and staff past and present sharing their Oliver memories and what he meant to them.  Many came to the movement for the first time having heard his story.

Animals Asia founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:

“Oliver’s story touched lives all around the world, lives that were shocked to hear of the torture he endured for China’s bear bile market.

“His rescue was the combined efforts of vets, the public, the police and a local hospital. Just as all these parties came together to save Oliver – between us today: governments, animal lovers, NGOs and the farmers themselves – we can find a way to end bear bile farming once and for all.

“It’s a miracle that Oliver survived 30 years of pain, but we can all take heart from over four years of peace and freedom that he enjoyed at our Chengdu sanctuary. I think he always believed there was a happy ending for him and he kept fighting.  That’s the spirit that will continue to inspire us all.”

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