Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) is a Hong Kong-based government-registered animal welfare charity founded by Jill Robinson MBE in 1998. In 2000 the China Moon Bear Rescue Center was founded outside Chengdu to create a haven for black bears inhumanely caged since infancy. Black bear "farming" is popular and legal in China, as the bile of black bears is very valuable to traditional Chinese medicine. The AAF works in conjunction with government officials to locate and rescue mistreated bears and bring them to the Rescue Center, where the bears enjoy their newly-found freedom in the beautiful enclosures. 

The Moon Bears, named as such due to the yellow crescent marks across their torsos, now number more than 170 with constant new arrivals. The rescue center employs 1 full-time veterinary surgeon, 3 vet nurses, 3 bear managers, 12 management staff and over 150 administrative staff and workers. The center is in the process of constructing a habitat for the 3 large brown bears it has received. The facility is also currently home to monkeys, a leopard cat, and many stray dogs.

The rescue center is not a true tourist site and does not charge an entrance fee. However, the rescue center is entirely funded by donations. Therefore we ask each of our guests to make a 25$ donation per person which is then matched by Overland China and given to the foundation on behalf of the guests.