This is Smudge the cute moon bear that was the last animal to be born at a bile farm in China before it was closed.

Nanning Bile Farm bred bears for many years and extracted their bile for traditional Asian medicines as part of a cruel practice.

The bears were kept in poor conditions, with many kept in cramped cages from birth, and farmed for their bile.

At its height, the farm held 132 moon bears, also known as Asian Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus), who would routinely undergo the process of bile extraction.

Smudge was the last bear born at the farm while it was still in operation. Separated from her mum early, she was put in a birdcage because the spaces in a regular-sized bear cage were too big to hold her tiny frame.

When the farm closed, the animal rights group ‘Animals Asia’ took over the premises and started caring for the animals there. At that time, Smudge was only four months old.

Upon arrival at the farm, they located Smudge in a dark cell at the back of the courtyard. The terrified cub was loudly crying for her mum.

Heidi Quine, vet team director at Animals Asia’s Vietnam sanctuary, then senior bear manager at Nanning, recalled the moment: “We could hear crying coming from the yard we were standing outside. I insisted that the farm worker open the door to the yard.

“We found Smudge alone, whimpering and shaking. Against better judgment, I rushed in, scooped her up and held her against my chest. She was so helpless and so desperate for her mother she immediately calmed down.”

The team noticed that the cub had untreated wounds on her nose which came from rubbing against the bars of the cage.

Smudge was taken to a courtyard where she had a paddling pool, climbing frame and toys to stimulate her growth.

She was showered with love and attention from every member of the sanctuary team, who often gave her a lot of tasty snacks.

Smudge received a designated Bear Team Manager named Rocky who played the role of her mum and taught her to climb on a structure specifically made for her.

She also had a den-mate named Wai Kee and they spent their time playing, splashing around in the pool, and enjoying cool hose showers together.

Smudge and Wai Kee even had a greeting move; they would gently pat each other on the head as they passed by to say ‘hi’.

In April 2021, it was decided that Smudge and other bears from the old bile farm would be moved to a new bear sanctuary in Chengdu in China.

Animals Asia is extremely proud of the operation and said they can’t wait to witness Smudge’s progress at the new sanctuary in the future, adding: “We can’t wait for Smudge to feel grass under her paws for the first time in her life, to feel the sun on her face and finally, get to be a bear that forages and plays, and thoroughly enjoys life.”