Across China and Vietnam over 11,000 Asiatic black bears – better known as moon bears – are trapped in tiny coffin-like cages, suffering regular bile extractions for use in traditional medicine, cosmetics and wine. Deprived of all but the most basic necessities to keep them alive, the bears are forced to endure unimaginable pain and torment for up to 30 years.
In 1993, British-born Robinson took a stand against this practice. Jill began animal welfare charity Animals Asia and created two bear sanctuaries in China and Vietnam spanning over 180,000 square metres. Narrated by the actor, Peter Egan, the film also includes contributions from Downton Abbey actress Lesley Nicol, Born Free founder, Virginia McKenna and Guns ‘n’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum. (Directed by Andrew Telling, 2017, UK, 54 mins, Not Rated)
Jill Robinson founded Animals Asia in 1998 – five years after an encounter with a caged bear on a farm in southern China changed her life forever. Learning that bear bile could be replaced by herbs, she vowed to put an end to bear bile farming. Since then, Animals Asia has rescued over 530 bears in China and Vietnam.
Jill is a Council Member of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) Herbal Committee and her outstanding contribution to animal welfare has been recognised with a number of awards. In 1995, she won the “Reader’s Digest” Hero for Today award. In 1998, she was made an MBE by Queen Elizabeth of England. In 2008, she was named “Outstanding Earth Champion” in Hong Kong and was appointed World Animal Day Ambassador for Asia. In 2010, she was one of 12 recognised foreigners given the “You Bring Charm to China” award.
She shares her home in Hong Kong with her family of rescued dogs, cats and a tortoise.
