On a sunny afternoon in March 2004, Asia’s Top Pop Diva Karen Mok (Mok Mun Wai) visited the Moon Bear Rescue Centre to the delight and excitement of staff and press alike! Last year, whilst on a sellout tour in China, Karen read about the work of Animals Asia in rescuing tortured Moon Bears from bear farms. As an animal lover, Karen immediately contacted Jill and volunteered to help promote the programme. On her arrival, Jill introduced Karen to Andrew, our three-legged mascot who (as ever) enjoyed being fed his favourite: honey! Karen and Jill then watched the handicapped bears play in their “Rehab Garden” and walked to the bamboo sanctuary….on the way, Karen was shocked at the sight at the medieval empty cages and the metal jackets that the 2 newly rescued bears had worn. At a press conference, Jill officially appointed Karen the first Animals Asia China Bear Rescue Ambassador and presented her with a Special Certificate and teddy bear souvenir. Karen presented Jill with a very generous cheque for USD5,000/HKD38,388 (symbolic in Chinese for “good wishes for a lifetime of fortune”.) During question time in front of over 8 TV cameras and 7 print media, Karen was asked: 'why, out of all the desperately needy people and issues in China, why had she chosen to support the China Bear Rescue?' Karen answered from the heart, she simply said that 'from the moment that she heard about the bears, her spirit had told her that she had to become involved'. Jill thanked Karen for her generous donation and stated that with Karen’s help, more people will become aware of the cruelty of bear bile extraction in China and the work of China Bear Rescue, which is crucial for Animals Asia to ultimately end bear farming in China. Karen expressed her gratitude for the work of Animals Asia, and called for a boycott of bear bile products and her hope that bear farming will end – she emphasised that this is just the beginning of her support. Karen is a huge star in Asia, aside from being voted 2004’s Number One Female Singer at the MTV Asia Awards, Karen is famous for being an extremely charismatic actress – thank you Karen, we and the bears are honoured that you have chosen to support us! www.animalsasia.org