SHALDON animal lovers are widening their campaign to save moon bears facing a tortuous life in the name of medicine.

Vet Anna Harrison and retired RSPCA inspector Brian Bicknell co-founded the South Devon Animal Asia Support Group, formerly known as The South Devon China Rescue Group, more than a year ago. They were so appalled by the practice of 'milking' bears for their bile in Chinese farms that they decided to set up the group to support the good works undertaken by the charity.

Bears are trapped in the wild. crude surgery is performed to access the gall bladder. The bears are left in cages little bigger than the size of their own bodies and are milked for bile daily for its medicinal qualities. The active ingredients of bile can be synthesised. Some bears live for years like this in pain and fear.

The South Devon Group supports the work of a sanctuary for rescued bears in Chengdu, China, and is now working towards the rescue of a moon bear in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government has declared bear farming illegal and is working with the Animals Asia Foundation to close the farms and free the bears.

About 4,000 bears are trapped on farms and the authorities have offered the charity land to build a sanctuary and rescue 200 moon bears. Anna and Brian visited the rescue centre in Chengdu, run by Jill Robinson, last year. 'We have seen first hand what wonderful work the foundation is doing in China to rescue moon bears from the worst conditions imaginable.

'The veterinary support and daily care shown to rescued bears is the best in the world,' she said. Anna recalls an emotional day with the bears, where she experienced first hand the good work of the foundation. The bears are given room to live freely, plenty of food and stimulating play.

'The bears can wander outside freely for most of the day into their large, grassy enclosure. They have climbing frames, piles of logs, a swimming pool and fountain. 'We sat entranced for an hour watching bears being bears. Some frolicking, seeking out hidden food treats, resting, playing with toys, two sitting peacefully together in their pool.

'I have met some of the most wonderful animals on the planet – bears that have been through a long hell and lived through it to live on. I know that this charity is spending its money wisely and making a real difference. 'I have pawprints on my heart,' she said.

The group's founder, Barbara Gardner, said that the Animal Asia Foundation is facing a huge task with 7,000 moon bears in Chinese bile farms and 4,000 in Vietnam. 'It costs about £5,000 to rescue each bear and we are extremely grateful to have had so much support,' she said. The South Devon group has already had some success with recent fundraising events. A charity auction at Berry Pomeroy last summer raised £2,500 and a Valentine dance at Shaldon Coast View Holiday Park raised £800. The main event for this year is a talk by Chengdu sanctuary founder Jill Robinson. The event is being held at the Belgrave Hotel, Torquay, on June 25. It will be followed by a charity auction and barn dance. For tickets, contact Barbara Gardner on 07740 780028 or Louise Lucas on 01803 380749.