MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Animals Asia has announced that Heidi Quine has been appointed as their new Country Director for Vietnam, effective 1 October 2024.

Heidi joined Animals Asia in 2011, first as a Bear Team Manager at the organisation’s Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre, China (CBRC), then as Senior Bear Team Manager. Most recently she held the role of Vietnam Bear and Vet Department Director, heading up the bear care and veterinary department at the organisation’s Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre (VBRC) - the only sanctuary in the country accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Heidi and her team have rescued and cared for nearly 200 former bile bears at the sanctuary.

Heidi is deeply committed to building local capacity and empowering future leaders. In her previous role at VBRC, she dedicated herself to building a culture of capacity building, fostering talent and leadership within the team. Under her leadership, a Vietnamese management team was developed, including five bear team managers, four junior veterinary surgeons, and a sanctuary manager. She further oversaw the launch of Animals Asia’s pioneering Vietnamese veterinary nursing internship.

Heidi also led on training and development of the team to fully staff Animals Asia's second bear rescue centre in Vietnam (Bach Ma Bear Rescue Centre), a wholly Vietnamese-run and lead sanctuary. By building up Vietnamese professionals in the veterinary and animal welfare sector, Heidi has not only strengthened the organisation but also ensured a sustainable future for animal welfare in Vietnam, driven by local expertise and passion.

Heidi is handed the baton from her predecessor, a fellow Australian, Tuan Bendixsen, who passionately led Animals Asia’s work in Vietnam for almost twenty years, achieving phenomenal accomplishments within this time. This included his leadership in the charity’s battle against bear bile farming. In 2017 his tireless efforts led to a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the government, committing to the end of the industry, and entrusting Animals Asia with the rescue and care of the remaining 1,000 bears then still held captive on illegal bile farms.

On her new appointment, Heidi said:

“As we continue to work to end bear bile farming, end elephant riding in Dak Lak, end the dog and cat meat trade and improve the welfare of captive wildlife in Vietnam, I am committed to leading our charge with courage, tenacity and respectful solutions that are win-win for people and animals. That's simply our Animals Asia Way.

Working for Animals Asia has never felt like work — it's never been just a job. It simply feels like life, lets me live my purpose, and represents my 'why.' I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with building on the incredible legacy of Tuan, who has developed our program from the ground up over the last two decades. Together with the Vietnam team, we will achieve one of our founding goals that inspired Jill back in 1998 when she founded our organisation: ending bear bile farming.

Not many charities can say they have delivered on a founding mission! With the support of our amazing donors and supporters around the world, and in partnership with our friends in the Vietnamese government, the team and I are committed to making this vision a reality in Vietnam.”

Heidi has always shared her life with animals, driven by a deep love and respect for non-human life. During a volunteer placement in Vietnam in 2000, bearing witness to a chained elephant swaying and begging for food, she made a personal commitment to improving animal welfare in Asia. Returning to her native Australia, she accrued over ten years of experience in the animal welfare and conservation sectors before returning to Asia to fulfil her promise in 2011.

Heidi holds an MSc in International Animal Welfare, Ethics, and Law from Edinburgh University where her research was on the “Challenges and opportunities in enacting and expanding animal welfare and protection legislation in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” & “The understanding of animal welfare and motives of current and former bear bile farmers - A study in Vietnam”. She also holds a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources from the Australian Institute of Business.

As the new Vietnam Country Director Heidi will now report directly to Jill Robinson, founder and CEO at Animals Asia who said:

“It’s been a privilege and a joy to know and work with Heidi over these past thirteen years. As someone who has grown with the organisation, showcasing our values and upholding our goals, Heidi has most notably led and developed our Bear and Vet Team in Vietnam with remarkable skills and leadership, earning the trust and admiration of everyone in Animals Asia and those who support us worldwide.

I'm excited to continue the promise and legacy of ending bear bile farming in Vietnam that Tuan and I began nearly twenty years ago, now together with Heidi as our new Vietnam Director, who stands at the helm of a committed, dedicated and professional team.

Heidi's leadership will undoubtedly ensure the progress of our founding goal of 1998, that will see all bear farms closed and the remaining bears rescued in these coming years, together with inspiring new successes for our core projects of Vietnam that will set the bar and assist the government in helping and protecting the country's domestic, wild and endangered species.”

Heidi has lived in Vietnam since 2015 and has increasing proficiency in the Vietnamese language. She has called Tam Dao National Park home since 2016, where she lives with her three rescued cats, Mì (Noodle), Ân Sủng (Grace) and Bảo An (Family Treasure).

ENDS

 

About Animals Asia

Animals Asia is devoted to ending bear bile farming and improving animal welfare across Asia. The organisation promotes compassion and respect for all animals and works to bring about long-term change.

Founded in 1998, the Animals Asia team has been rescuing bears since 1994. Operating award-winning bear rescue sanctuaries in China and Vietnam, and they are the only organisation with a bear sanctuary in China. Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE, Dr.med.vet. h.c., Hon LLD is widely recognised as the world’s leading authority on the cruel bear bile industry, having campaigned against it since 1993.

Animals Asia also works to end the trade in dogs and cats for food and abusive animal practices in zoos and safari parks and collaborates with governments and NGOs to improve the welfare of companion and captive wild animals. Please find more about Animals Asia and visit our website here.

Please find Heidi’s media kit here.

For further information, images or interview requests please contact: Telsha Arora - Animals Asia PR & Media Manager | [email protected] / 07894 885 131

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