Happy #moonbearmonday everyone!

While our Chengdu sanctuary staff were recording an interview last week, they were lucky enough to catch this footage of pals Peter and Shamrock in a no holds barred “bear bundle”.

The two bears pushed, pawed, chewed and threw each other for a good 10 minutes before deciding the match was a draw.

Thankfully these two have a lot of history. Rescued together and integrated during their rehabilitation, the pair have been constant companions as well as wrestling partners.

This kind of play fighting is a regular part of sanctuary life for rescued bears, being a primary source of fun, friendship and exercise.

Peter bear is named after Animals Asia’s UK Ambassador, Peter Egan who took great pride in watching the wrestling match, saying:

“When the play wrestling begins, you realise how powerful these magnificent creatures are. Of course, it’s all fun and games for them and more often than not they spend more time hugging each other than throwing or pushing.

“More than anything, it’s a pleasure to see them able to interact and have fun with each other on their own terms – it’s the very least they deserve.”

Animals Asia founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE, who witnessed the bout, said:

“We were just walking round the enclosure conducting a media interview when suddenly the action began. Of course we all stopped what were doing and watched these two old friends playing with big smiles on our faces. Just two years ago Peter and Shamrock arrived in metal cages, terrified and in pain. What a difference these years have seen as they are finally brave and happy enough to play in the open – behaving like bears at last.”

Have a great #moonbearmonday everyone!

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