Nanning Diaries takes you inside a bear farm that will become a sanctuary. The entire transition will take two years and we'll keep you up to date every step of the way.

We are indebted to the brilliant Animals Asia bear and vet teams for continuing to share their thoughts and challenges.

Heidi Quine, Senior Bear Manager

22.09.14

"The bears received a very welcome treat at Nanning recently – some freezers. Sounds simple, but they will be a key part of our early enrichment programme on site.

"Through staff training, the theory behind behavioural enrichment has been introduced to the Nanning team, and although still in its initial stage, an enrichment programme has begun. Thanks to the freezers, the bears have received their first ever honey water, strawberry sauce and even milk ice blocks. Needless to say that the bears – enduring boredom and high temperatures – loved them! They spent time investigating, licking, and playing with them – the perfect treats for the sub-tropical Nanning climate.

"Something else that's keeping the bears more visually stimulated are large mirrors. These are propped up safely in the corridors, well out of paws reach and do not pose a safety risk to the bears, but do allow them to see more of the area than their basic enclosures allow.

"Introducing an enrichment programme for more than 100 bears isn't a simple matter. Staff training is essential, as is the safety of the bears and staff. Enrichment programmes at Nanning will be constantly evolving as both the capacity of our staff and the infrastructure develop. But for now, we're just delighted that its begun and the bears are enjoying the new stimulation and a break from the monotony of the past.

"A subtle, yet unsettling reminder of the bears' past is the blackened cement beneath the corridor cages – stained after years of hungry bears rushing to eat their meagre portion of corn cruel, slopping some onto the floor in the process. Despite considerable elbow grease from the team, no amount of hosing or scrubbing had been able to erase these stains. However, the recent acquisition of three pressure washes meant we were finally able to clean away these unhygienic reminders. It may appear a subtle improvement, but to the staff here it symbolises the washing away of the past, something that is important for the bears and the team as we continue on the journey to create a hygienic and humane sanctuary where there was once a brutal farm."

Animals Asia would like to thank our generous UK sponsor whose kind donation made it possible to provide, mirrors, freezers and pressure cleaners to the staff in Nanning. Their contribution has directly improved the lives of the Nanning bears.

BACK