Around the world this week thousands of people are playing their part in raising awareness and much needed funds to help end bear bile farming - by hugging!

For many people hearing of the horrific truth about bear bile farming is a moment they’ll never forget - Animals Asia supporters are determined to spread the word and soften the shock with a hug.

Leading from the front, Animals Asia founder Jill Robinson shared a hug with iconic American actress and Animals Asia ambassador Ali MacGraw. Best known for her role in Love Story - this time it’s Asia’s bears that have won her heart.

Ali visited Animals Asia’s Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre in 2012 and saw for herself the work Animals Asia does to rehabilitate bears rescued from bile farms as well as the ongoing campaign to end bile farming. There continues to be over 1,200 bears caged by bile farms in Vietnam and over 10,000 more in China.

Bile is extracted for use in traditional medicine. 

Also joining in is Moby - a hero to his many music fans while increasingly influential as an animal welfare campaigner. He even runs his own vegan restaurant in Los Angeles. Meanwhile UK Ambassador Lesley Nicol, star of Downton Abbey, joined with a full-on Mrs Patmore style hug.

But it’s Animals Asia’s grassroots supporters who are really going above and beyond to share the love and save the bears.

Serving morning teas, baking cupcakes, holding jumble sales, flea markets, workouts, hug-a-thons and even a “Bear Hugs for Love Birds” date night - check out our timeline to get inspired.

There’s still time to hold your own hugfest or spread the word and share a hug.

Meanwhile supporters are taking to social media to share the message and hugs.

And if all that wasn’t enough - music superstar Olivia Newton John has promised a hug at her concert in Hong Kong on 12 May.

So keep on hugging and keep telling everyone you know about bear bile farming. Use the hashtag #BearHugsForBears. Together we can end this incredible cruelty.

Money raised will go towards the cost of running Animals Asia sanctuaries in China and Vietnam - where almost 400 bears rescued from the bile trade live. Funds will also be used for the campaign to end bile farming as well as improving animal welfare in the region. 

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