Singer, songwriter, actress and Animals Asia ambassador Karen Mok was joined by celebrated Chinese wildlife photographer Xi Zhinong on a visit to the Chengdu bear sanctuary to campaign against bear bile farming.

Karen Mok, one of the world’s most popular social media figures with 38 million followers, dropped in on the facility to support Animals Asia’s historic Peace by Piece campaign to turn a bear bile farm into a sanctuary. During the visit Karen also found time to catch up with Baobei – her sponsored bear.

Karen later posted images of the trip to her followers with the message:

“We are all fighting to protect nature and wildlife.”

Wildlife photographer Xi Zhinong was making his first visit to the sanctuary. The devoted animal campaigner, known for highlighting the plight of endangered species such as the Yunnan Snub-nosed monkey and the Tibetan antelope, was shocked to learn of the conditions suffered by bears on bile farms.

During the tour Karen took the time to record a message for her millions of fans imploring them to support Peace by Piece saying:

“Please help us to turn a bear farm in Nanning into a sanctuary.”

Animals Asia founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE, who took Xi and Karen on a tour of the facility, said:

“We’re very grateful to have the support of Karen and Xi – two prominent figures in Chinese wildlife protection and animal welfare. We can’t go it alone to rescue every bear on bile farms in China - we need people like Karen and Xi to raise awareness and help us bring everyone to the table to try to find a solution to end bear bile farming in China once and for all.”