Animal Sanctuaries Are Struggling Right Now, But They’re Making It Work
Animal sanctuaries are facing new challenges in the wake of supply chain disruptions and social distancing due to COVID-19
As the novel coronavirus began its destructive spread across China, originating in the city of Wuhan, the staff at Animals Asia’s nearby Chengdu sanctuary started to prepare. 47 moon bears reside there, rescued from the bear bile farming industry. The ursine residents were once kept in horrible conditions, enduring painful extractions of their bile, for use in traditional medicine. For more than twenty years, Animals Asia has rescued and cared for them, providing expert veterinary services, healthy food, and protection. Unable to re-enter the wild, the bears are completely dependent on their human caregivers.
Having previously faced natural disasters, including earthquakes and flooding, the organization already had detailed emergency protocols in place when coronavirus began to emerge in Wuhan. Realizing the urgency of the situation, they moved quickly. The veterinary team predicted medicine the bears needed would be in short supply, so those were purchased along with necessary medical masks and sanitizers.
