After more than a decade devoted to rescuing Asiatic black bears from tiny cages on cruel bile farms in China, Animals Asia Foundation chief Jill Robinson has learned plenty about the delicate emotions of brawny animals.

“Clearly, animals share emotions with humans,” Jill said. “They may not share exactly the same joy and euphoria, or grief and sadness, but they sure as hell have their versions.”

More than 240 “moon bears” live at an AAF refuge in Sichuan Province. Freedom Moon, a new book published by the organization, shows many of the rescued bears, each identified by name – Billabong, Charley, Crystal, Harley, Mandela, Rupert, Delaney, Jasper and Caesar, for example -- relaxing, napping, bathing, rollicking, playing and even posing like fashion models.

Significantly, the book has small photos of the bears in their original (farm) cages. Some, like Jasper, were crushed flat for 15 years. “Then it shows the delirious, giddy joy of animals who know they’re free of that,” the AAF says. “The gradual transition of their characters and personalities is remarkable. Finally released into dens and enclosures, the bears develop personalities as profound and individual as any humans. Friendships are formed, dizzy, hilarious interactions in what is supposed to be a solitary species.”

Jill gains enormous pleasure from these furry friends. “They’re such an intelligent species, so joyous and charismatic,” she said.

“We’ve learned to be unconcerned with accusations of anthropomorphism from the scientific community as we watch these bears now smile radiantly in their pleasure and play. We’re convinced that one day science will prove us right.”

Anyone with a pet dog or cat recognizes that animals have familiar emotions. “I really agree,” Jill said. “We can’t always be sure of animals’ particular emotions. We just know that they do have emotions.”

For more information: www.animalsasia.org

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