CHENGDU, Sichuan Province, China -- Staff members from the Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) moon-bear rescue centre here have gone to Anxian in northern Sichuan to help with relief efforts after the massive earthquake on Monday.

Red Cross China accepted the AAF’s offer to help. A 17-member team, including many of the moon-bear sanctuary’s veterinary staff, set out in the rescue centre’s coach. The vehicle also carried a cargo of medical supplies, like needles, syringes, bandages, swabs, antibiotics and iodine.

“We had to draw straws,” said the AAF founder Jill Robinson, who joined the group. “Everyone wanted to go to help, despite the obvious dangers. Once there, we’ll take directions from the Red Cross and help in any way we can – both people and animals.

“We hope to help with basic first aid, such as bandaging and stitching cuts, cleaning wounds or making splints, and maybe we can use the coach to carry survivors to hospitals. Basically, we’ll do whatever we can.”

Luckily, the AAF’s staff and bears came through the earthquake unhurt, but some buildings at the bear-rescue centre sustained structural damage. With hardly a pause to count its blessings, the AAF, as always, has put its best feet and paws forward.

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