In the Fall 2006 issue of Clever Magazine I read an article The Moon Bear Problem written by Dee Walmsle, Nature Writer for the magazine. It brought so many emotions into play that it is hard to identify just one. First, I was glad to be a contributing writer for a magazine that brought one of my pet projects to the forefront to make others aware of the sad plight of these beautiful creatures. Second, I was saddened by the inhumanity of Man to exact such cruelty to another living thing. And, last but not least, I was grateful to be asked to share my story with Clever Magazine.

My name is Shining Moon Bear and this is my story:

Being one-quarter Native American, I wanted a Native American name that I would also be known by, in addition to my Christian name. Traditionally, one goes on a vision quest to seek a vision, a truth, a sign of what name will be given. Native Americans are very spiritual and very close to the earth, so great thought and care is given to their native names. Every name has a special, spiritual meaning.

I work full time and did not have the means or opportunity to go on an actual physical vision quest; instead, I was advised by the Cherokee Shaman of the Clan of the Broken Arrow to go on a spiritual one through meditation. For months, I meditated, asking the Great Spirit, the Universe, and every other Higher Power within the realm of my reality to send me a sign. "Send me a sign; send me a name," I would ask, "that I might honor my native heritage." Nothing came to me. Although somewhat disappointed, I continued my meditations.

One night, in a dream, I saw a bear's face. The left side of his face was embraced by a soft crescent moon of light, which cast a gentle glow on that side of his face. When I awoke, I remembered the dream, but thought nothing of it, as I planned my busy day.

While responding to emails later that morning, I was suddenly and inexplicably thrown out of the AOL site. What I saw next, was about to change my life.

I saw a picture of bear lying on its side in a small cage. (The same picture, in fact, that Dee used in her article.) At first, I thought I was looking at a local news story, because there had been several close encounters with bears in recent months in my area of Central Florida.

I quickly realized it was not a local news story, but one describing the plight of the Asian Moon Bear. It told of some 7,000 Moon Bears that have been illegally captured, held in tight, cramped iron cages, with a 6 to 7 inch iron catheter inserted into their ball bladder to harvest bile which is used in many oriental medicines. For the rest of their lives, these poor captured bears are kept in small, individual cages - cages far too small to enable them to even stand or sit. The iron catheters rust, causing sores and infection. When the bears get too sick to produce, they are killed. By this time, tears were streaming down my face.

The website also told of Animals Asia Foundation’s fight to free the Moon Bears and put an end to the illegal capture and subsequent illegal harvesting of bear bile. A preserve has been set up for captured Moon Bears. There are heartfelt stories with pictures of bears that miraculously made it through their horrific ordeal and are now leading good, healthy lives. The pictures and description of the bears' physical characteristics almost stopped my heart. Asian Moon Bears are aptly named for their characteristic yellow or white crescent moon shape fur on their chests.

My dream became more prophetic as I knew my quest for a name had been answered from an unlikely, high-tech source – the internet. On June 2, 2007, during the Sacred Circle meeting, the elders huddled together. During the ceremony I was given my official Cherokee name: Shining Moon Bear.

I offer my support to the Asian Moon Bears and join the fight for their freedom. I am proud to carry their name and never miss a chance to tell my story in hopes that it will generate more interest to help in their survival and provide Animals Asia with more champions to fight for these wonderful, beautiful bears.

For the Cherokee people, bears symbolize inner strength. Asian Moon Bears epitomize that symbol, for their tenacity to hang onto life, despite the horror and pain of their heartbreaking existence at the hand of their captors.

I carry this name with pride and in honor of all the Asian Moon Bears that will never know freedom; that will never know a life other than one wrought with pain and sorrow. It is a travesty and tragedy that most of these beautiful spirits only finally know peace through death.

Jill Robinson, Founder & CEO, Animals Asia Organization, along with people like Morgan Lance, U.S. Volunteer Coordinator and others need more champions like you and me to spread the word and lend support to the plight of these bears.

I am Shining Moon Bear. I am proud to honor the Asian Moon Bear with my name. I am proud to tell my story.

For further information about Moon Bears and Animals Asia Foundation, go to: www.info@animalsasia.org