The story of a broken bear... and how we will mend her heart

Today we'd like to share a different kind of story with you.
At Animals Asia, we focus on the positive: of kindness in action and the happy outcomes for the bears we rescue.
But sometimes, in order to understand how far the bears have come, how amazing it is to see them playing, making friends and enjoying life at our sanctuaries, we have to reflect on where they came from.
And, in some cases, how broken they were when we rescued them.
So, we would love to share the story of a very special bear with you today: Dawn, one of the five bears we recently rescued from a bile farm.
This five minute film might be hard to watch at first, but it ultimately it has a positive and hopeful message...
We will never give up on Dawn, just like we will never rest until every last bile farm cage is empty, and we will never stop caring for the damaged souls who find refuge at our sanctuaries.
Thank you for allowing Dawn's story to be heard, and for showing her that there is kindness in the world, after all.
#bear #moonbear #asiaticblackbear #blackbear #rescuedbear #rescuedanimals #animalrescue #animalsanctuary #kindnessinaction #hope #animalwelfare #animalcharity #animals #wildlifesanctuary #hopeful #helpanimals #nobearleftbehind

[@sylviekins]

Heartbreaking. 20 years of helplessness and hopelessness. This is cruelty beyond belief. How can this happen? Praying for this beautiful bear to become whole again🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@EyeSeeThruYou]

Torture for profit, selling suffering to the superstitious egotists indulging in conspicuous consiption. That's how.

[@jeanpatterson4283]

Thank you for saving this beautiful sensitive girl. And healing her heart with your love and care.

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@simmi9533]

Thanks for your efforts to keep her and all the other bears safe and healthy! And please keep us informed about dawns progress

[@pseudononymouse]

We recently donated to Animals Asia and it has had the indirect benefit of letting us feel that we are part of this good cause. Helping this dear bear Dawn become comfortable (and then, eventually, actually HAPPY) is a very concrete and high-probability-of-success endeavor. I'm pretty sure Dawn will be playing outside, with friends. We also donate to large international charities, but never feel even that we make a drop in the bucket change. But here, with this organization, I am sure that we are actually helping. I encourage anyone in a position to help Animals Asia to donate. Watching the videos and seeing these bears gain a good life is one of the few truly heart-warming experiences we have in this day and age.

[@HKAAF]

What a lovely post, Kent, thank you so much for your support and generosity. It absolutely does help and means we can save these bears and rehabilitate them; we wouldn't be able to do any of this without our kind supporters like yourself, thank you ❤️🐻

[@jeanmcdermott1932]

God bless Dawn.And thankyou to everyone who is helping Dawn and all of these beautiful creatures.

[@bodhi7449]

Mental scars are the toughest to heal. But with the love of AnimalsAsia team, another lovely bear will be taken out from the darkness. Thank you guys❤🐾

[@HKAAF]

Thanks Bodhi

[@reneelash1091]

What a beautiful statement

[@FishFeelPain]

Not one more Dawn! Be she a 🌙 🐻 or a 🐕 🐈 🐄 🐂 🐖 🐔 🐥 🐏 🐑 🐇 🦆 🦊🐊 🐺 🐠🐟 🐢 🐐 🐍 🦎....Sadly our cruelty knows no bounds. Thank you Animals Asia for doing so much to make the world a kinder and safer place for all animals.

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@deborahwright5209]

Hoping and praying she can be reached. I'm sure with all the love and care she is receiving she will gradually learn to live again. Cannot actually believe the suffering she has endured. We cannot stop until every bear is free.

[@HKAAF]

Agree Deborah, and nor will we stop until every bear is free.❤️

[@jeannewommack1762]

I have confidence you CAN reach Dawn and give her the life she always deserved. I can't put into words how spectacular I find your organization! Thank you!

[@HKAAF]

Thank you Jeanne

[@Rackmani]

Such a sad story...how can this be done to those poor souls! I hope she recovers 🙏

[@CarolBudge-s5q]

Thank. You. For. Saving. Her. She. Is. Crages. And. Beautiful. God. Bless. You

[@BunnyBitch76]

Thank you Animal Asia for your work❤These bears need you and people who support your work for these broken souls. Thank you❤

[@HKAAF]

Thank you for your support and kindness ❤️🐻

[@mrsilbo6499]

The flame of our hope & love for Dawn burns brighter than ever. I love Heidi's positivity, we're all hoping you and the team will pull Dawn through. ❤

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@angie6050]

What a blessing that Dawn now has a beautiful family with you all. 💕🙏🐻💕🌸

[@ellydavis2066]

I choose to think that fundamental human nature is to care, nurture and respect life and those who act counter to that are not normal. If I think differently it would feel overwhelmingly hopeless and I would despair. Thanks, Animals Asia for being normal human beings. 🌞

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@capucinebellucci3476]

Thank you for looking after all the bears 🐻🐻💖💖💖💖

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@CreateYourBestLife777]

Thank you so much for helping the animals! They become so happy, healthy, and beautiful after being rescued and helped! Just an amazing transformation!

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@lsummers3629]

Dawn our love, hearts, thoughts & prayers are flooding your way.....from the day of your rescue & everyday since. You are in your forever home with the awesome, amazing team at AAF you can trust. I promise you will ALWAYS be loved & cared for in every way. Hopefully soon you will be able to feel the grass beneath your paws, the sun on your back, a pool to soak in with bear friends you will make. Thank you all at AAF yr expertise, love, care, food, enrichment, medical care etc are all exceptional & you are an inspiration. 🥰🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐾X

[@withgoddess1119]

Very sad girl. 💨💌

[@pintsizegrfx]

Praying for Dawn. May her heart open to the loving care you are providing.

[@HKAAF]

We're all rooting for Dawn, stay tuned for another update soon ❤️

[@angie6050]

Every kind thought, word and deed gives healing . 🌿🌸🌸 🌸🌸🌿

[@alanhayward6719]

❤ Animals Asia ♥️

[@malgosiak790]

May she thrive, be happy & enjoy her new wonderful life 🙏❤️🙏

[@ringmoen1]

Thats Just realy realy sad❤️

[@Derivoda]

I can’t stop crying from Russia 🇷🇺

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@MIRIAM-bm5sn]

I cry all the time I for when I watch this I am praying for her ❤❤

[@maryhinch4510]

The government should outlaw the abuse of these bears. I can't believe the cruelty and, ignorance of these farmers

[@drunkprince1ks112]

God bless you all

[@penjim2013]

Poor Dawn, I just feel that I want to cuddle her, and keep cuddling her until she feels safe. Bless her heart and I do hope that the meds are going to help her and break through that awful feeling of helplessness that she obviously has. If anyone can help her, I know it's the dedicated team at Animals Asia who will eventually show her the way to be a Bear. Thank you all for the love that you're giving to sweet Dawn, and all of your Bears. 🙏💕💕🐻 Penny from Christchurch. 🇬🇧

[@HKAAF]

Thank you so much for your kind words and support ❤️

[@EH-lu2if]

🙏🐻🙏❤️🐻Danke!

[@Hjoranna]

How could someone be so cruel to another living being? That "farmer" should be put in a cage and left to rot.

[@user-ln8hp4vt5z]

Thank you Hero’s 🙏. Be well Sweet Dawn🙏.

[@juliemartin-b6c]

Cannot understand how and why people treat these magnificent bears for profit and abuse them for fun. So sad but I'm glad they will now be happier than they've been and spend the rest of there lives with love and care they deserve 💕💖💗😘😘😘

[@jacqulinejackson4822]

Ty ty😢😢😢😢at 73 been traumatized all my life I so understand, bless u all👍💋💎💎💎💎

[@angie6050]

I am sorry to hear that Jacqueline. Your empathy will help many. 🌄

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@gigihoover3330]

Thank you for doing such incredible work!

[@fredsnyder3063]

🌞 once again compassion and love shine bright, thank you.

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@CLGUWS3746]

So unbelievably sad I can’t stop crying. Bless you for helping them.

[@danieladipietro6341]

Wow, this video is very heavy. I am perfectly aware that your activity is NOT always easy or happy, nor do I want to make comparisons with thirty years that a man in prison would spend for not fall into speciesist (and lengthy) speeches. Jill and Animals Asia all, that's right, kindness in action. But how can you be nice to those who do this? I also understand that there is not the west but how much kindness it takes... not to explode. And here I stop even if... THANK YOU SO MUCH ANIMALS ASIA ❤️☀️🐻🌜 ciao gente 🐾💚🖤 Sorry for my english...!!!

[@小霖-v7u]

Thak you very much 😢❤！

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@stefanomoriggia88]

Meraviglioso e ogni volta straziante

[@chancegivens9390]

She's been trapped in a cage longer than I've existed on this earth.... I hope that she can enjoy the rest of her existence, it's the least that wonderful animal deserves.

[@HKAAF]

Thank you ❤️

[@Nast405]

Amazing work. Your work is so appreciated. Keep it up and everyone donate!!

[@kimmit.o.2069]

Sweet sweet Dawn 🧡

[@phoenixjones660]

One of the hardest 👍, only for the algorithm. There are no words, are there? 🕯️ I'll 🙏 for sweet Dawn until the day I 😢 watching her first paw steps on grass. I know you guys can help her heal and Be 🌙🐻 again ❤❤❤.

[@HKAAF]

Thank you Phoenix

[@olgafumagalli]

povera piccola! ma lentamente guarirai e inizierai la tua nuova vita! grazie per il vostro immenso lavoro

[@HKAAF]

Thank you for your kind words Olga 🐻❤️

[@viviannegoblitschke2857]

Oh my gosh, my heart aches aches very much to see Dawn in much pain, l 😭😭🙏🐻🙏🐻💕💕🙏🙏

[@swissmaid]

Heartbreaking!

[@starseed8087]

Keep us updated on Dawn please! ❤

[@HKAAF]

Thanks for caring, we'll post an update really soon ❤️

[@theresatodd6935]

I hope Dawn makes some sort of recovery ,I think it will take time to reach back into her broken mind + heal her ❤️

[@HKAAF]

❤️

[@fekla579]

😥😥😥😥🙏🙏🙏🐻🐻🐻❤️❤️❤️

[@kismypencek6185]

Oh this montage does work to wedge open a stronger bit of time travel to grasp how long 20 years in a cage of torture she was in. Im glad she is able to get meds to help the trauma. GO DAWN GO!!!!

[@HKAAF]

Thank you for your love for Dawn, Kassia ❤️🐻

[@fastgurrrl]

Jill, you are so sweet the way you relay this information. I was traumatized when I first started learning about what happens to so many animals around the world, including here in the US. You were the one who made me know of these bears, several years ago, and the hideousness of it all. You are so strong, and so kind, and I love you dear lady. And you've never stopped, and you've got quite the crew now. You are a legend. @Animals Asia

[@fastgurrrl]

It was probably more than several, more like many years ago, on facebook.

[@HKAAF]

thank you for caring and for your kind words Jodie ❤️🐻

[@markcardwell]

Love you guys for stepping up!!!

[@jojobegood]

💝💔💐 bravo 💐🇨🇭

[@AtilaOzdemir]

❤

[@tazpot]

It’s just so unbelievable and heartbreaking that she has gone through such trauma. 😢

[@8thhousealchemist600]

🕊💗🌏

[@vallee3140]

Not seen this video before but, look at her now, you have worked a miracle. Whoever thought she had a fun side bless her.

[@stargalaxyuniverse761]

She’s probably a very intelligent bear. Poor baby.

[@patriciakunz1198]

Oh sweet bear - 🙏

[@agnesolsvik]

So sad❤❤

[@reneelash1091]

I believe this is an updated video the one I saw before looked really bad now she's looking better her eyes are open she seems a little happier

[@HKAAF]

She's certainly geting better Renee.

[@fastgurrrl]

That's not a farmer. That's a torturer.

[@agnesmaloco2818]

❤❤thank you Jesus

[@Оля-ы9п]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@evelyneherry7352]

😭😭😭👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤

[@EdurtreG]

Learned helplesness is a mild term for severe abuse-induced psychotrauma. Hope you will also give her something to level tbe anxiety.

[@HKAAF]

Hi Esther, yes for sure, we're doing everything we can to help her - check out our other video with an update posted after this one.

[@JUSTICEK]

Try putting her into a decent-sized cage. The one she's in now is inhumane! Disgusting!

[@HKAAF]

All bears who arrive at the sanctuary spend at least 30 days in our quarantine area and are kept in smaller spaces than our dens initially for a number of reasons. Our staff need to assess the bears’ emotional and physical health and be able to administer medication if necessary. They also need to build rapport with the bears and earn their trust - this would be impossible if they were in a bigger space as they could retreat to a far corner and avoid us. We also need to start building up their strength. We do this by encouraging movement around the Temporary Area cage, putting things on top for them to pull down, etc. Most importantly, if bears were put into cages or areas that are different to what they’ve been used to for decades - that has basically been their entire world - it would be completely overwhelming and terrifying for them, and they would likely have an adverse or dangerous reaction. We introduce new sounds, sensations, tastes and environments at a slow pace, and only when the bear is ready for new stimuli. Even within a small space Dawn has many things to stimulate and encourage her to grow and explore. We offer her enrichment that encourages natural behaviours such as nesting materials and banana leaves that she can choose to eat, play with or sleep on. As Dawn is so traumatised, she will need to spend longer in quarantine than usual. Please rest assured that with over 25 years of experience in rescuing and rehabilitating bears, our expert teams know exactly what Dawn needs right now and would never do anything that would hurt or traumatise her further.

[@leojansen2773]

Sometimes I feel ashamed to be a human

[@TrinTeeX]

How long do you keep them in a cage? I am a regular monthly donor and now thinking I will no longer give my money based on what I am seeing you do...

[@HKAAF]

Thank you for your question and for your wonderful support. To answer your question, on arrival our rescued bears go into a quarantine cage so they can get used to their new surroundings, they can get to know their carers and we can monitor them closely and assess their physical and emotional needs. It also protects them and our resident bears against cross-contamination. If they were put into a cage or area much bigger or different to what they’ve been used to for decades, it would be overwhelming and they would likely have an adverse, potentially trauma-inducing or dangerous reaction. Please be assured that with over 25 years of expertise, learning and research, our expert teams know that this is exactly what Dawn needs right now and we would never do anything that would hurt her further. We shower bears in quaranting with love, great food, toys and monitor them closely for a period, and then they are moved to an enclosure with their own den, big open spaces, and are introduced to other bears. I hope this answers your question, please let us know if you have any more questions ❤️🐻

[@williamgamblin3510]

I will keep Dawn in my prayers

[@HKAAF]

🙏🌙🐻❤️

[@michelleberthold6270]

Active ingredient in Prozac is Fluoride and we all know how good that is for you

[@DorisSigel-rr4pe]

I pray she can be outside- I don’t understand why she cannot just let her out

[@HKAAF]

Hi Doris, please visit our channel to see the most up to date news on Dawn who is now thriving at our sanctuary.

[@barryheath8123]

How is she doing?

[@HKAAF]

Hi Barry thanks for asking, she is doing well. We did update on Dawn on April 24 if you'd like to watch the video ❤️

[@amandalorien]

so sad.........lets all contribute and help her

[@CarolBudge-s5q]

How. Can. They. Do. That. To. Her. Horrible. People. Or. Farmers. They. Are. Not. Human. They. Should. Be. Prosicuted

[@cynthiafritze7418]

Can’t we see how they’re doing now? Where are the new clips?

[@HKAAF]

We provide updates of our bears regularly - follow our social media @AnimalsAsia for more photos and videos.

[@pencil6965]

Do you continue the medication even after their behavior has improved?

[@HKAAF]

We only provide a bear with medication when they need it, and by continually observing and checking Dawn we will assess the medication and dosage accordingly depending on how they are adjusting and behaving.

[@DORINA60]

RUSINE Seim

[@VR-kp2rv]

What happened to the 'farmer' who did this to her?

[@gundriver6439]

Why is this bile practice still going on? WHY???????

[@lanti3904]

yet she's still in the Cage!

[@HKAAF]

She's in this tempoary area cage while she completes her quarantine period which is really vital to protect the 200+ bears we care for at the sanctuary as well as giving her time to adjust and learn to trust her carers. We can't rush the process and we need to go at each bear's pace.

[@on-the-pitch-p3w]

Pfffffff… really Lan ti ?

[@tashaax1993xanimalloverx]

Why is she still caged tho?

[@HKAAF]

We keep newly rescued bears in a smaller space than our dens initially because we need to assess their health, build trust with them, and be able to medicate them if necessary. Often they are so traumatized by what has happened to them on the bile farms that if they were in a bigger space we would have no way to do any of this. They would be able to avoid us and it would be impossible to build rapport and earn their trust. Another reason is that we need to give them time to start building up their strength again. We do this by encouraging movement around the Temporary Area cage, putting things on top for them to pull in etc. If we were to put them in a bigger area straight away many of them wouldn't cope. We compensate for the lack of space with a complexity within that space- offering them so many things to encourage their natural behaviours like nesting material and different enrichment. We stage their enrichment to what they are able to cope with. They are only in these cages for a short 30 day period, where everything they get is new and they have so much to adjust to. We very carefully stage the rehabilitation process to what the bears can cope with, and don't introduce everything new at once. This includes the concept of a larger space, as often this is terrifying for the bears, as we often see when they gain enclosure access for the first time.

[@annwatson6125]

just let her out...geesh

[@David-dl3vj]

Those EYES.😢😢

[@richarde3378]

[@MsBoris1969]

❤

[@charlotteh7766]

🫶