One bear has a missing paw, the other is blind - both have been rescued from the bear bile industry. See them play together in the open air at Animals Asia’s China sanctuary.

It’s testimony to Kevin’s incredible spirit that what defines him most is his famous smile.  Rescued after years in a tiny cage where he faced daily bile extractions - it seems like he hasn’t stopped smiling since. Meanwhile his missing limb is a disability that he makes light of - though most likely it’s as a result of being trapped in the wild.

His friend Wilfred arrived at Animals Asia’s sanctuary in Chengdu in 2008 (pictured below). Already completely blind he was nicknamed “Watermelon” as that was all the food he’d contemplate eating in what was a very sick state.

The good news is that he would in time be rehabilitated and, faced with the chance to step out into the open, his blindness proved to be no obstacle to his desire to enjoy the sunlight.

On the day when he and two blind friends would join a larger open enclosure, China Bear and Vet Team Director Nic Field wrote the following:

“Today the big group spent a day inside, so that these three blind friends could enjoy their new environment and discover where everything is.

“Mityan was the first to venture out and find the delicious food and treats that awaited them in the enclosures. A little later Akimo and finally Wilfred took his first tentative steps into the enclosure. For several minutes he cautiously put his front paws on the grass, but soon all four were on the grass.

“Ten minutes later he was the other side of the enclosure and has spent a gloriously sunny day sniffing his way around, enjoying the joys of all the enrichment structures in the enclosure and wrestling with Mityan.

“At one point he was on his back with all four legs in the air baring his belly to the Chengdu sun! There is still a way to go on this bear's journey. As the day drew to a close, and Wilfred lay contently on the grass reluctant to come into the den, who could blame him after years in a bear farm cage.”

Seven years on and this footage shows that Wilfred continues to enjoy his life after his rescue from a bear bile farm.

Animals Asia founder Jill Robinson added:

“Bears like Kevin and Wilfred are the heart of this place. They are bears so brave, so full of spirit that their disabilities are almost entirely forgotten. I believe the stoic nature of the moon bear is why they’re used by bile farms. They refuse to give in. On a farm that means they continue to hang on, suffering but hoping for something better. Here it means they can make it through their rehabilitation and become care-free bears again. Our broken bears, now almost mended, they deserve every moment of happiness.”

There are still over 10,000 bears in China on bear bile farms. Bile is used in traditional medicine.

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