Over the moon about bear rescue

Auckland siblings are ready to share their heartrending story of a rescued moon bear in China.
After donating to an SPCA campaign last year to rescue a moon bear from bile farming, Liane Donovan and her filmmaker brother Michael Donovan travelled to the Animals Asia Bear Sanctuary in China.
There on behalf of the SPCA, they deleivered the funds raised for a rescued bear named Assisi.
Moon bears are incarcerated in coffin-like cages so small that they can't turn over, let alone stand up.
They have a steel catheter inserted into their gall bladder for removal of bile. This is their life until they die - usually of cancer or infection.
New Zealanders raised $23,000 towards Assisi's surgery, rehabilitation, food and housing at Animals Asia Foundation's Chengdu Bear Sanctury.
Assisi was one of 12 bears released last February from a Chinese bear bile farm. The vet team at the Animals Asia sanctuary fought hard to save his life.
Having endured five years in a bear bile farm, Assisi arrived at the sanctuary with serious infection and an inoperable tumour in his chest.
He had never walked on grass. He had never eaten fresh fruit. He had never played with other bears.
Thanks to the New Zealand donors and the Animals Asia team of vets, nurses and carers, Assisi finally had the chance to do these things; but for only a couple of months before he passed away while playing for the first time in his life with another bear.
His short life of freedom highlights the terrible practice that is allowed to continue in many Asian countries.
Liane and Michael Donovan are giving a special presentation on their trip to China and meeting Assisi including a 25 minute film shot at the sanctuary during their visit.
They are now working with the SPCA and Animals Voice magazine to launch a campaign to raise money for the Assisi Memorial Bear Kitchen.
Public talk
Saturday, March 13, 3.30pm-5pm. University of Auckland Business School, Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Rd (parking available under building).
Bile file
The bear bile industry is alive and well in China and much of Asia. Even though there are herbal and synthetic alternatives, traditional chinese medicines use bear bile. This practice is one of the cruellest, most horrific forms of animal abuse. Bear bile, while not legally allowed into NZ, often comes in, in the form of Chinese medicines.
Bear bile is believed to reduce fever, protect the liver, improve eyesight, break down gallstones, and act as an anti-inflammatory.
More info, see www.animalsasia.org