Chinese superstars including Karen Mok and Olympic boxer Zou Shiming turned out for Animals Asia’s annual Blue Moon Gala to raise awareness and funds to help the country’s moon bears.

Movie stars, sporting heroes and models brought glitz and glamour to a night dedicated to China’s moon, sun and brown bears with nearly 300 guests in total showing their support.

Not only did the Grand Hyatt Shanghai event bring much needed funding to Animals Asia’s China Bear Rescue Centre, but the presence of so many big names has helped to publicise the NGO’s animal welfare work throughout the country.

Film and music star Karen Mok, who has been a long-time supporter of Animals Asia’s work, said:

“Each and every individual being is precious, including animals. There is no need for wild animals to suffer for mankind’s selfishness and greed. I wanted to do more to help animals, so I adopted Bao Bei at Animals Asia’s Chengdu sanctuary. I hope my support will help others pay attention to the plight of moon bears and other animal protection issues.”

Central to the night’s event were moments of remembrance for moon bear Jasper. Rescued 15 years ago by Animals Asia, this inspirational bear sadly passed away in April this year.

Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:

“It was an a huge privilege to have so many dedicated supporters at this year’s gala. The funds raised by generous supporters will help the bears recovering at the Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre live the happy, healthy, peaceful lives they so deserve after everything they’ve been through.

“Jasper may just have been one bear but his legacy will be so much more. He showed the capacity of bears to forgive; his character proved just how much these animals deserve our respect and his circumstances brought home how much they need our protection.”

The 2016 Blue Moon Gala took was sponsored by Flexi, a German dog leash manufacturer who advocate responsible pet ownership. The event took place at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai thanks to their kind sponsorship. The hotel was transformed into a woodland wonderland by Yixing Design who also freely gave their services for the benefit of Animals Asia’s work.

Surrounding the event, kind donations were received from celebrated actor Tony Leung, model Tong Chenjie, artist Peter Reizebos, the Benelux Chamber of Commerce and Jiang Chunyu, Board Director of the China Energy Company – all of which will go toward helping more than 100 bears rescued from bear bile farms live out their days at the Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre.

Read Jill’s account of the night here.

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