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Animals Asia’s sanctuary for bears rescued from the bile industry has been named a model facility in recognition of its educational programmes.

At a Forest and Nature Education Conference near Chengdu, Animals Asia’s China Bear Rescue Centre was held up as an example of how to educate the next generation about the importance of the natural world.

About 300 people from government departments, nature reserves, local NGOs and schools attended the conference where 19 other organisations were also praised.

Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:

“Everyone at the sanctuary is hugely honoured to have been recognised with this award and we are grateful that the authorities value our contribution to Chinese culture and society so highly.

“We believe education is vitally important, not only to save bears in China, but also to create the modern Chinese society we all wish for – a country where animals and humans live in harmony. This award shows that there are many in China, including government, who have the same dream and are willing to walk that road with us.”

As well as raising awareness of bear protection in China, Animals Asia’s Chengdu sanctuary has strived to provide educational experiences to some of the country’s poorest young people.

In 2016, Animals Asia welcomed 27 poverty stricken students from Sichuan province to attend a summer camp at the sanctuary. On site, the children learned about the plight of bears suffering for the bile industry, while also coming to understand the value and importance of wider animal welfare protection.

The award is the second time the facility has been recognized having become the first bear rescue centre in China to be honoured with international accreditation by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) in 2014.

As the only globally-recognised organisation certifying animal sanctuaries and wildlife rescue centres, GFAS accreditation involves a rigorous testing process to confirm the humane and responsible care of animals on site.

GFAS declared that both sanctuaries demonstrated excellence in areas of safety and security, veterinary care, governance, and financial and organisational sustainability. The sites’ standards were declared in line with the “definition of a true sanctuary and humane and responsible care of animals”.

Animals Asia’s Chengdu sanctuary was established in 2000 and has enabled the rescues of nearly 300 bears – mostly from the bear bile industry. Today, nearly 100 bears continue to live out their days in the sanctuary’s semi-natural enclosures surrounded by grass and trees.

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