The bears we receive at the China sanctuary are in a terrible condition – suffering from abdominal tumours and infections and often some form of heart or liver disease. Up to 90 per cent also have one or more of the following physical impairments: missing limbs, amputated paws, diseased and deformed paw pads, removed claws, extracted or sawn off canine teeth and blindness. On top of this, many have deformity and joint and mobility problems caused by spending years immobile in cages sometimes no bigger than their own bodies.

Despite their poor condition, most make a good recovery, partly because of their stoic and resilient natures, but also because of the professional care they receive from our veterinary team – globally recognised for its expertise in caring for rescued farmed bears in China – and our wonderful on-site managers, workers and expert volunteers. The extensive behavioural and veterinary management programme practised in both sanctuaries also helps to ensure the well-being of all bears during their rehabilitation.

Today, the sanctuary is home to more than 140 happy, healthy bears who snuggle together in their hanging basket beds, tumble out of their dens to play with friends, clamber to the top of much-abused trees, splash in the rock pools, or relax in the grass and enjoy the fresh air – disabled or not.

Although the rescue centre is not officially open to the public, the team hosts about 3,800 visitors each year, including international and Chinese media crews and photographers.

Most visitors take part in the fortnightly open-day tours – offered for up to four groups of 20 people – during which visitors enjoy a close-up view of the bears and learn about the cruelties of bile farming.

The centre also works closely with schools and educational institutions – arranging summer camps for university students from around China and welcoming a constant stream of primary students from the surrounding areas.

To help us build awareness of the realities of the bear bile industry among our visitors and the general public, the Chengdu sanctuary is equipped with a public education classroom housing photo displays and a display of actual cages and equipment from bile farms. These facilities play a pivotal role in our campaign. Soon they will be expanded to include a new education centre and large viewing areas where visitors and researchers can watch the bears in their enclosures.

The team are also actively engaged in various types of off-site educational work – holding workshops in schools and universities; working with veterinary students and the staff of zoos and animal parks; and giving presentations to students and practitioners of traditional medicine to share our research on bile and the cruelty involved in bear bile farming and to encourage medical students and practitioners to pledge not to prescribe bear bile.

The educational programmes developed by our staff have not only helped the rescue centre achieve its reputation as a regional centre for ethical and environmental education but also helps to advance the concept of animal welfare in China in a huge way.