Tag Archives: Moon Bear Challenge

Team Animals Asia Meets The Moon Bears!

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Blog 9: 2012 Animals Asia Australia China Moon Bear Challenge

After 55km trekking on the Great Wall, cycling across Beijing, bussing through the countryside, and flying half-way across the county, we finally arrived at the Animals Asia Moon Bear Sanctuary outside Chengdu. For many in our group their journey with the Moon Bears began five and even ten years ago. That made our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see them up close and personal even more significant.
Jill Robinson_Animals Asia_Moon Bear Sanctuary

The tears were streaming and emotions were running high and Jill Robinson, the founder of Animals Asia, and Ann, the Australia Director led us around the perfectly manicured 26-acre facility that now houses over 150 rescued bears.

Operating on a moon bear

We spent the morning watching breakfast time for the newest additions to the sanctuary before getting an inside look at the actual practices of bear bile farming in the education centre. To say it is a ghastly and incredibly inhumane practice is a gross understatement. While tough to take, it was important to gain a better understanding of what still takes place in areas across Asia. We next stopped into a surgery room, where the resident veterinarian was performing a biannual check-up. Yes, that’s a bear on the operating table!

After lunch in the team cafeteria we got an update from Jill on the current work of Animals Asia to stand behind the Chinese people against this horrific practice.

Jasper the moon bear_Animals Asia_Chengdu

From there it as off to meet Jasper (above), perhaps the world’s most famous Moon Bear. He has been living at the sanctuary for over a decade and, without question, rules the roost. We even had a chance to see him defend a lady bear against a few overly keen males. “Typical,” Jo said.

Cookie the moon bear_Animals Asia

We were joined by several additional guests later in the afternoon to celebrate the official opening of the new Bear Kitchen, where over 500 kilograms of food is prepared every day for the furry residents. It was a brilliant opportunity to grasp the scale of the operation. Our final stop was the site where bears that have passed away are remembered. It was a touching and respectful place of tribute. Jo had the opportunity to say a heartfelt goodbye to Cookie, the bear she has sponsored for many years who passed away in February. She placed a small stone atop the traditional Chinese pyramid-shaped gravesite, said a few words, shed a few tears, and slowly stepped away.

Moon bears_Animals Asia

That evening the team hosted us on the roof under the moon itself to celebrate the incredible fundraising and trekking effort of the Animals Asia Inspired Adventures team. We even got to see the cuddly bears hop into their hammocks and doze off into bear dreamland. To say it was adorable is a gross understatement!

To think what has been done to these impressive, important, valuable creatures far exceeds disturbing. As we drove away, however, I think it gave us all a sense of relief to know that the entire staff at Animals Asia are working to end this horrific industry. They can be sure that with their reinvigorated resolve and commitment, this group of 20 epic fundraisers will continue to stand with them.

Now, a few more pictures of these adorable creatures:

Moon Bear_Chengdu_Animals Asia

Read more trip stories from China or visit the Inspired Adventures Calendar and find a Charity Challenge perfect for you.

TIC: This is China, Animals Asia style

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Blog 7: 2012 Animals Asia Australia China Moon Bear Challenge

After several tough days out on the Great Wall covering more than 50km in pounding heat and humidity, we were ready for the relative luxury of our Beijing hotel combined with a touch more history, culture, nightlife, and delicious food!

Our in-city motto is TIC: This Is China! It is with that attitude that we are now approaching every bit of excitement that comes our way. As I explained to the group on day one, the irony of China’s centralized government and economy is that you are actually free to do whatever you want as long as it isn’t dangerous or harmful to others.

We started yesterday with a visit to the vast Summer Palace, where we wandered along the massive man-made lake alongside the nattering souvenir vendors and in-awe Chinese tourists. The air was heavy and the skies were dark but we chalked it up to TIC and carried on.

This morning we arose post-nightlife exploration and made our way to the northern Hutong, or lane ways, to saddle up on bicycles and do as the locals do – bumble along through the back roads and take in the sites, smells, and tastes of the ancient small-town Beijing that lies in the shadows of the ever-present modern skyscrapers.

Along they way we literally just stumbled upon a coffee shop that is a committed supporter of Animals Asia! The outside billboards were advertising how to become a supporter and the inside walls were lined with photos, stories, and testimonials of the issue of bile farming and the work that Animals Asia does. It was completely fortuitous and a brilliant surprise.

 

Donghuamen Night Market: rows and rows of unusual food stalls & delicacies

After a few hours of free exploration time we reunited for a Kung Fu martial arts exhibition followed by a visit to Donghuamen street food night market, where we noshed on dumplings, skewered vegetables, and toffee-glazed fruit. “I love this place,” Mehri declared. How couldn’t you?

To close the night (and our time in Beijing) we had a truly THIS IS CHINA moment, riding in a motorbike taxi back to our hotel. As you can see, our driver was overjoyed to have his photo taken with our resident Kiwis Debby and Erin.

This is China: Debby & Erin are not in New Zealand anymore!

Tomorrow it’s onward to Chengdu where we will briefly visit the Panda sanctuary before spending a brilliant final day at the Animals Asia center. Will the excitement never end?

GO TEAM!

More from Animals Asia China Moon Bear Challenge: 

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Inspired Adventures Team Animals Asia Says Farewell To The Wall

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Blog 6: 2012 Animals Asia Australia China Moon Bear Challenge

“Maybe it’s going to thunder and lightning tomorrow,” our guide John said last night. “Or maybe not.” It was with that fear looming over us that we hopped on the bus this morning. The mist was heavy though it was difficult to tell if it s fog or smog. Rain coats in tow we hopped on the cable car and road up, up, up to Mutianyu Great Wall.

From here it would be a solid five hours to our local farmhouse which would be home for the night. After a mandatory group picture we charged forward, clouds still lingering. It took just under an hour for us to reach the base of the Stairway to Heaven: 1,000 continuous steps climbing directly up the ridge of the mountain at a 60-80 degree angle!

The heavens had still not opened up on us though the moisture in the air combined with the intense summer heat meant the heavy humidity was rapidly becoming our biggest foe. We shook off it’s intimidation and remembered what had brought us here: those wonderful bears that we had been working so hard to fundraise for. “Let’s do it for the bears,” Maya said, and do it we did. In fact, I’d say we SMASHED IT.

From here the rest of the day just seemed easy. A little up, a little down, and a whole lot of “gentle” ANZ humour. The dynamic Kiwi duo of Erin and Debby remain both the source and the target of most of our jokes those everyone has contributed a good “zing” or two. The lightness and self-deprecating wit of those from down under really keeps the mood positive and energy levels high.

By 2pm we had reached our final tower. Waving goodbye to the wall, we headed down, down, down deep into the valley below where our bus met us. From here it was just a five minute ride to the farm of our hosts for the night. As I write this the sounds of food frying, dishes being washed, chickens clucking, ducks quacking, and Aussies laughing fills what would otherwise be total silence. It’s a brilliant sound and I think we are all wishing we could stay a little bit longer!

Now time for drinks, food, and a few more jokes about the Kiwi accent!

GO TEAM!

Kyle

More from Animals Asia China Moon Bear Challenge: 

Read more trip stories from China or visit the Inspired Adventures Calendar and find a Charity Challenge perfect for you.