Dame Judi Dench has added her name to the tens of thousands asking Vietnam's government to allow Animals Asia to save 23 bears in Vietnam's Halong Bay.

In November last year, Animals Asia exposed horrific cruelty taking place at the farm where 27 bears were found to be severely emaciated. Since the inspection, four of the bears have died of starvation forcing Animals Asia to launch a campaign asking the Vietnamese government to step in and confiscate the bears.

Dame Judi Dench said:

"These moon bears have been used and abused by the cruel bile industry and are now being left to die. We are asking the Vietnam government to step in and enable Animals Asia to rescue these beautiful animals. They deserve their sanctuary."

Dame Judi joins Stephen Fry, Ricky Gervais, Brian May, Olivia Newton-John, Lesley Nicol, Ali MacGraw and Peter Egan in offering her support.

To add your name to the letter to Vietnam's Prime Minister asking him to help release the Halong Bay bears click here.

Dame Judi's backing isn't the first time she's supported the work of Animals Asia. In 2014, the multi-award winning actress and author adopted a moon bear rescued from a bear bile farm in Nanning, China as part of Peace by Piece, the world's largest ever bear rescue.

Dame Judi said:

"When I saw the plight of the bears, I had to help. I was particularly pleased to be able to name one after my daughter, and she was delighted too."

Having named the bear Finty after her actress daughter, Dame Judi also recorded a message of support for Animals Asia's efforts to end bear bile farming in Asia.

Animals Asia founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE, said:

"Having Dame Judi Dench back the campaign is a dream come true. She is someone who is not only known the world over but also respected. What is happening in Halong Bay to these poor bears has moved her and she wanted to do what she could to help. We are absolutely delighted to have her on our side."

"Support for the campaign has been exceptional with an average of 10,000 people adding their name every day. Their backing gives us strength and it gives us hope that the authorities will do the right thing and give these bears the happy ending they so much deserve."

Over 12,000 bears are currently being held on bear bile farms in China and Vietnam. The animals live in cramped conditions suffering regular bile extraction, as the substance is prized as an ingredient in traditional Asian medicine.

Despite being made illegal in 1992, bear bile farming persists in Vietnam with farmers exploiting legal loopholes to continue the cruel trade.

BACK