> At a Glance
> – Jane Goodall became guardian to rescued bile-farm bear Robinson months before dying at 91
> – The moon bear spent 15 years in a cage; now roams a Vietnam sanctuary
> – Goodall named the bear after Animals Asia founder Jill Robinson, funding lifetime care
> – Why it matters: Shows how one act of sponsorship can guarantee freedom for animals rescued from cruelty
Weeks before her death, Jane Goodall quietly took on one last mission: she became guardian to a traumatised moon bear rescued from Vietnam’s bile-farm trade. The story, withheld until now, spotlights both the cruelty of the industry and the power of individual action.
From Cage to Sanctuary
Robinson’s early life was bleak. She was snared as a cub, losing her left front paw and most of her left hind paw, then locked in a farm shed where bile was extracted for traditional medicine. In late 2024, authorities shut the farm down and Animals Asia transferred her to their Vietnam sanctuary alongside five other bears.
- 15 years spent in a tiny metal cage
- Missing paws, broken teeth and skin wounds on arrival
- Lush enclosure with pools and grass now her home
- Best friend Manu shares daily lounging and play
Guardianship in Action
Goodall learned of Robinson through long-time friend Jill Robinson, founder of Animals Asia. She signed on as guardian, covering all future veterinary and living costs through the Jane Goodall Institute, and chose the name “Robinson” to honour the organisation’s leader.
| Bear Details | Before Rescue | After Rescue |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Tiny cage | 1-hectare enclosure |
| Medical Care | None | 24/7 vet team |
| Social Interaction | Isolated | Bonded with Manu |
| Future Funding | Uncertain | Lifetime via Goodall |
Goodall met Robinson and described her as “sassy but sweet” with a crooked little smile. In her open letter she wrote:
> “Imagine being ripped away from your mother as a child, spending fifteen years in a tiny metal-barred cage, and being jabbed almost every day with long needles.”
She praised the resilience of bears and the determination of campaigners working to empty remaining farms.
Key Takeaways
- Bear bile farming is banned in Vietnam, yet dozens of bears remain on shuttered farms
- Animals Asia has space in two sanctuaries but needs farmers to surrender the animals
- Goodall’s guardianship model offers a blueprint for funding lifelong care
- Vietnamese authorities and Animals Asia are cooperating on final rescues
Goodall’s final act of advocacy ensures Robinson’s story ends in comfort, and it keeps a spotlight on the bears still waiting for their own second chance.
