Olivia N-J makes TV
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SAVE
THE MOON BEAR CRY FOR HELP - POEM
by Leigh Foster
Save the Moon Bears Campaign
Sites to
visit for more information
Animals Asia Foundation
- www.animalsasia.org
Save the
Moon Bears Campaign
|
Moon Bear Jasper in his cage
with Animal Asia Foundation helper Jill, when he was
rescued |
Sharon Bowles is calling for
an end to one of the most cruel treatments of animals known to take
place anywhere in the world.
As many as 9,000 bears in China are kept in tiny cages that prevent
their movement to be 'milked' for their bile using metal catheters
inserted into the animal's gall bladder.
Known as 'Moon Bears' for the golden crescent across their chests
these endangered bears are subjected to a lifetime of misery.
Half the animals are said to die during or shortly after the
insertion of the catheter. Those that survive suffer from tumours,
infections from open wounds, abscesses and hernias.
The bile taken from the gall bladders of the living bears is used
in Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of ailments
including stomach and digestive disorders and kidney
problems.
|
Jasper the Moon Bear as he
is today |
European
Action
Sharon has backed calls in
the European Parliament for the Chinese government to bring about a
complete ban on bear bile farming. Pressure on the country's
leaders to end the cruel practice is expected to grow in the time
before China hosts the 2008 Olympic Games.
Sharon said: "This is a truly vile practice. What the bears suffer
is nothing less than torture and it must be brought to an
end."
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) claim there
is no need for bear bile as there are perfectly adequate synthetic
alternatives which contain the active ingredient found in
bile.
Trade in bear bile is highly profitable with customers paying as
much as $20 per gram on the international market. Even conservative
estimates say the annual production of bear bile from China alone
is worth $100 million.
Life expectancy of the caged bears is 10 years, just a third of
their natural life span in the wild.
How you
can help the Moon Bears
Sharon will be joining the
charity Animals Asia Foundation on Sunday 14th May 2006, at
Southampton Sports Centre in Basset, for a "Moon Bear Fun Day",
where the charity will be raising money to rescue another Moon Bear
from captivity. The event runs from 1pm to 5pm and includes a
sponsored walk. Why not come along for a fun day out and support
them?
Download a form to participate in the sponsored
walk.
Many people have contacted
us to ask if they can donate money to help rescue these beautiful
bears. If you would like to make a donation to a charity that
rescues Moon Bears, we recommend the Animals Asia Foundation.
Please make cheques payable to Animals Asia Foundation and send
them to:
AAF, PO BOX 835, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8
9AX
Sites to
visit for more information
Animals Asia Foundation
- www.animalsasia.org
World Society for the Protection of Animals - www.wspa.org.uk