One year ago today we lost Oliver - a bear who refused to give up despite 30 years in a cage facing daily bile extractions.

You can find out more about his story via our In Memoriam page. To mark this special day, Nic Field our China Bear and Vet Team Director writes this special letter to a very special bear. A bear who changed all our lives.

Dear Oliver,

I miss you. We all miss you - humans and bears and, I’m pretty sure, the sanctuary cats and dogs too. Not to mention millions of people here in China and around the world who loved you. For your spirit and your bravery and for your absolute determination not to let your abusers win. We were proud to give you four happy years in the sunshine.

The world first became aware of you when you were struggling to stay alive at the side of a motorway in a rescue truck. You needed surgery to realise that dream that you so deserved. As you lay unconscious and our vets worked to save you, we were assisted by police who stopped traffic, by a local hospital who provided oxygen.

And yes, I believe we were helped by the sheer collective will of all those who stopped what they were doing to wait for news of your recovery. I believe their hope and spirit helped us too. You ignited something that day - a burning hope for better times for bears. It will never be extinguished.

That you could go on to live so well for years to come, shamed your captors. Even now when I watch movies of you padding around your enclosure I imagine you humming to yourself. Likewise when you eased your abused body into your pool I imagine you letting out an “aaahhh” of delight. To have that freedom, to have that view of nature and open space and blue skies and your fellow bears. I’m sure it contributed to those extra years - you clung onto that life, just as you once dreamed of it.

We continue to fight bear bile farming. News that the drug manufacturer which is the biggest user of bile is now pursuing alternatives gives us hope. News that they are being backed by the government has us daring to believe that there is a real will to end the torture that you suffered.

It will happen. We have been inspired by your strength and your memory is invoked daily.

If Oliver can do what he did then we can end bear bile farming.

Beyond all of the above, sanctuary life continues - we’ll never forget the 10,000 bears still caged by the bear bile industry - but each bear we care for is special too. Each one an individual, each one with their own personality and needs. It’s something that we never forget and something that continues to be at the heart of everything we teach. 

And yes, your story is inspiring young minds too. The future is looking better for animals - attitudes are changing.

You’ll never be forgotten Oliver. This will always be a special day but you’re also with us daily.

Thank you for everything

Much love from all of us,

Nic Field, Animals Asia China, Bear and Vet Team Director

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