Animals Asia founder Jill Robinson has been announced as a winner at Britain’s Animal Honours event in a ceremony that aired on primetime British TV. 

Jill, whose life changed forever when she first walked into a bear bile farm in China 20 years ago, won in the International Rescue category. Having seen for herself the horrific conditions bears suffer for up to 30 years in such farms, a personal vow to help has seen her open sanctuariesin China and Vietnam and has dramatically raised the profile of the campaign to improve animal welfare in both countries. 

In the first-ever televised British Animal Honours, hosted by comedian Paul O’Grady, Jill was presented with the International Rescue award by actors Hayley Mills and Stephen Tompkinson (see above), best known to British viewers for their roles in “Wild at Heart”. Jill’s nomination, one of hundreds in a highly-competitive category, had been judged the most outstanding by a respected panel of judges. 

Award winners included animals who had saved or made a huge difference to the lives of humans, and service animals who have contributed to the fight against wildlife crime and drug smuggling. Human winners, celebrated for their efforts improving the lives of animals around the world, included Grace Yoxon, Director of the International Otter Survival Fund who won the award for best UK Wildlife Charity, helping to save otters in Scotland. 

Jill’s award followed as Animals Asia’s work was highlighted in a short film made by the British Animal Honours team and with a contribution from Animals Asia ambassador, Peter Egan. Jill took the stage to accept her award on behalf of Animals Asia, her speech highlighting the changes in attitudes to animal welfare currently taking place in China - for which she received a standing ovation. 

There was another long standing ovation for Animals Asia patron, Virginia McKenna, for her lifetime’s passion and defence of animals through the founding and running of Born Free Foundation. Virginia was presented with her award by her longtime admirers Queen guitarist and animal welfare campaigner Brian May and his wife actor Anita Dobson (see right). 

Speaking after the awards Jill said: 

“The best thing about this award is the depth of feeling coming from the British public in sympathy and support for the bears. This is what will help to bring bear farming to an end and I'm immensely grateful not only to a fantastically passionate and tireless team Animals Asia and to all those in China and Vietnam leading the campaign, but to the British Animal Honours for shining the spotlight on this hideous practice and giving the bears their voice. 

“It was a privilege sharing the evening with so many amazing people working in the animal world - and none more so than when my friend and mentor, Virginia McKenna won the final award. I hope that these awards will go on into the future - they are what helps us all to keep going until, as we say at Animals Asia, the cruelty ends.”