A once in a lifetime shot shows two rescued bears living a life full of joy in their sanctuary in China.

Volunteer Bear Manager Ed Ayton was by Prince and Sunshine’s enclosure on a hot Sunday afternoon. He watched them play together before they cooled off in the pool. Snapping away on his camera, he caught this moment of magic at Animals Asia’s rescue centre in Chengdu.

Prince and Sunshine were both lucky enough to be rescued as cubs – they live among over 100 bears rescued from the bile trade. Few have been so lucky. Not that Prince and Sunshine have had it easy – both should have grown up in the wild with a mother showing them how to be bears but what was their right was taken from them.

Prince was rescued in 2000, Sunshine followed three years later. Between them they have enjoyed almost 30 years of care.

Animals Asia founder Jill Robinson said:

“It’s the most beautiful thing to see their capacity for joy after all they’ve been through. Maybe they’re even more determined to live their lives to the full considering what they have suffered. When I see bears having fun like this at the sanctuary I wonder if they dreamed of moments like this when they were at their lowest ebb - perhaps it’s what kept them alive.”

Ed added:

“The photo will be something I’ll treasure from working with Animals Asia. We see moments like this every day - real happiness with what their lives are now. It’s not easy to capture but it’s why I love this picture. I hope it inspires people to continue to campaign against cruelty.”

Animals Asia has rescued almost 600 bears from bile farms in China and Vietnam. In China there are still over 10,000 bears caged in bile farms with around 1,200 more in Vietnam.

BACK