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HK Magazine

I was born in Nottingham, England. My mum died of septicemia when I was 18 months old, leaving my seven-month-old sister and me with my dad.
The strange thing is that what killed Mum is what claims the lives of bears on the farms. Everything comes full circle.
I have always had an affinity with animals. I dreamed about becoming a vet, but I failed chemistry and physics.
I worked at a veterinary clinic so I could be with the animals, which gave me hands-on experience in treating the bears now.
I moved to Hong Kong in 1995 with my husband back then. He’s a pilot.
As soon as I landed, Hong Kong felt like home.
I love the people and the energetic, fast-track way of life. It really suits my personality. I like staying busy and active, leaving no time for frivolous things.
We have to recognize how we as individuals can make a change.
I founded the Animals Asia Foundation with four other people in 1998. Now I spend half my time at our bear sanctuary in Sichuan Province.
A journalist friend went to a bear farm by chance and told me I had to see it. At that time I only knew a little about bear farming, I didn’t even know what species “moon bear” was.
Everything changed after I’d been there. It was a horrible farm. From that second something clicked in my head and said a new journey has begun, like an epiphany.
The farmers thought keeping a bear alive in a cage for 20 years with their guts ripped open, and sucking the bile everyday, would conserve the population of wild bears. They were proud of it.
But they were doing exactly the opposite. Rich people thought that if this was the bile from a captive bear, how much better would it be from a wild one?
Bear bile has a practical use, but it can be replaced so easily. There are many herbal and synthetic alternatives. No one is going to die because of the lack of bear bile.
The core philosophy in Chinese medicine is to work in harmony with nature. How can this cruel practice be synchronized with that idea?
I wish those people in Beijing who have power would take a look with fresh and open eyes - especially now that the “Green Olympics” is coming.
Chinese people are more outspoken now about their love for animals. They put on exhibitions about animal rights.
Animal cruelty makes me feel ashamed of the human race; why we as a species cannot connect with the pain that other warm-blooded animals are suffering.
Animals have taken a huge chunk of my personal life. But this is not something that I would resist. I’m having a ball.
Try to have two hours to yourself everyday. I switch off from animal welfare issues and watch TV or some movie.
Animals have an incredible love of life. They live for now.
They taught me forgiveness. It’s very grounding to recognize how animals come through trauma. I shouldn’t be angry about being ripped off by a taxi driver.
Laugh with your friends. Having a good sense of humor will keep you grounded.
Death is a quiet place on the banks of a river where our bears, dogs and cats sleep in peace.
Fur is an unnecessary accessory. Gore-Tex can do a better job.
Message to all of you: don’t buy animals, and have your pet neutered.


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Founder of Animals Asia Foundation Jill Robinson

Magazines

Jill Robinson MBE is a co-founder of the Animals Asia Foundation. She talks about the epiphany that led her to save 290 moon bears, and shut down 48 mainland bear farms.  
