For those with the qualifications and the compassion, volunteering at Animals Asia’s Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre can be the experience of a lifetime.

Find out whether you might be considered for this once in a lifetime post

Cara Wilcox volunteered with us in 2013 and has been kind enough to share some of her most treasured memories.

I remember first hearing about Animals Asia, perhaps in 2008, and instantly knowing that I wanted to be involved. A few years later I read about the rescue of Oliver in 2010 – the story touched my heart, and I remember sitting on my bed weeping for the bear who had endured more pain and suffering than most can imagine, yet he survived. How was that possible? I couldn’t understand the concept of keeping bears in tiny cages for their bile, and couldn’t believe that so many people didn’t know about it.

Five years later, in the summer of 2013, I found myself on my way to live my dream in China, as a volunteer at the Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre.

Here are some of my journal entries about experiencing Animals Asia and China…

My first impressions of Animals Asia

“… I was exhausted after the long flight, and as the taxi driver didn’t speak English I dozed off on the hour-long journey to the sanctuary. I woke up just in time to see a big bear statue at the turning off the main road (I later discovered this is the Chinese version of Andrew, with 4 paws intact—Andrew was rescued missing a limb, most likely the result of being caught in a trap), after a few more minutes on a smaller road we arrived! I was greeted by a man named David who helped me with my bags and opened the gates… Just on the other side of the fence were bears! Loads of bears!! They are in enclosures right next to the Nursery where volunteers stay.… After being shown the accommodation and sorting some paper work, Rugsy (a local cat) and I went outside to watch the bears. One naughty bear was pulling bamboo protectors off of a tree! It was so funny, they are all so active! One went for a run around the enclosure, another was rolling in the grass… I could watch them for hours – and I did.

First experience touching a bear

“Today was amazing- I GOT TO TOUCH A BEAR!!!!!  A bear called Claudia was having dental work done in the surgery this morning- a tooth has to be removed because of a fracture from biting the bars of her cage. When we finished preparing medicine for some of the bears in the shake kitchen, we were allowed to go into the surgery room to have a look whilst she was under anaesthetic. It was insane! Claudia is so big, her fur is very coarse. I could hear her breathing. I touched her back paw, so small and cute compared with the rest of her body, yet so powerful when she’s awake!”

Visiting the Special Care Unit

“… This afternoon Lydia (another volunteer) and I met (Bear & Vet Team Director) Nic, who showed us around the Special Care Unit, where older bears and those with poor mobility are housed. We saw how the bears are trained to recall into their dens with a bell when the staff need to go into the enclosure to hide enrichment for them. The enrichment is changed every day, sometimes twice a day, which helps to keep the bears active, although some still display some stereotypic behaviour. Watching the special care bears is so bittersweet. Like everything here really, it’s amazing to see them now and to be able to help, but horribly emotional to think of what they have been through.”

Garden of Hope and Sorrow

“During lunch I went for a walk around the Garden of Hope and Sorrow, which is where there are memorials for all of the bears who have died with Animals Asia. It is really sad. Made me remember why I am here and the reason we are all doing this. There is a statue of Andrew- the first bear who was rescued, he is missing his paw in this one. It’s heart-breaking.”

Experiencing China

“… We took a tuk-tuk to the local student town of Tuanjie to have a wander - it’s amazing! It’s a kind of a mix of old and new, modern but with such a strong culture. So many interesting things and a lot of street food, I can’t tell what most of it is… We bought some noodles from a street vendor, he fried them up in a wok with vegetables and loads of sauces, and the wok was on fire! They were delicious…”

Meeting Jill Robinson, helping to show supporters around, special moments with the bears, spending hours observing Birragai chase other bears (and subsequently arguing with fellow volunteer Lydia, who was watching Sepp be chased by Birragai, about who was in the right!), nights out in Chengdu, the food (I found a Chinese style supermarket back home and eat spicy sauce almost every day now), bear hugs (don’t worry, they were under anaesthetic), sad farewells and almost every emotion possible-Animals Asia has it all, I will never forget my time there and hope to return.

Cara Wilcox has a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, and is currently studying for an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare in Edinburgh.

Animals Asia’s China Bear Rescue Centre in Chengdu has volunteering opportunities available in behavioural management and vet nursing. Vacancies are still available this year for vet nurses. If you are available for three months and have the right qualifications then we’d love to hear from you. See our website for more details.

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