Rick Wakeman, the renowned keyboardist of the rock band Yes, recently performed a piano concert at a bear sanctuary in Vietnam, playing for an unusual audience of approximately 150 rescued Asiatic black bears. The performance took place at Animals Asia’s bear sanctuary in Tam Dao National Park, an environment dedicated to rehabilitating bears formerly kept in cruel conditions on bile farms.
Wakeman’s visit aimed to raise awareness about the plight of moon bears subjected to bile extraction, a practice linked to traditional Chinese medicine. This procedure involves inserting a needle into the bears’ gall bladders to draw bile, often causing severe suffering. Although Vietnam has banned bile extraction, many bears remain confined in cramped cages, with approximately 125 still held in such conditions on old bile farms. According to Wakeman, four bears continue to die each month under these circumstances, underscoring the urgency of their release and rehabilitation.
The musician, who has supported rescued bears since 2016 and recently sponsored a 20-month-old bear at the sanctuary, composed new melodic piano pieces especially for his ursine audience. He remarked on the reaction of animals to gentle music, expressing hope that the bears would come closer to the perimeter of their enclosures to listen. Wakeman described the experience of observing the bears as deeply moving, noting their playful behavior and apparent joy as they interact with their restored environment—activities that contrast sharply with their previous confinement, which sometimes lasted decades without the opportunity to walk on grass or move freely.
Dr. Jill Robinson, founder and CEO of Animals Asia, praised Wakeman’s involvement and commitment to the bears’ welfare, highlighting the emotional impact of his music and the significance of public support for the ongoing rescue efforts. The sanctuary currently houses 150 bears and is working to secure faster government action to liberate those still held captive.
Wakeman also referenced his personal connection to animals, sharing anecdotes about his rescue dogs and cats at home in Suffolk and their responses to his music. His engagement reflects a broader effort to draw attention to animal welfare issues through creative and compassionate means.
Vietnam’s ban on bile extraction and efforts by organizations such as Animals Asia aim to address the broader challenges of illegal wildlife trade in East Asia, which has devastated Asiatic black bear populations by nearly one-third over the past three decades. Wakeman’s visit and performance seek to further publicize these concerns and encourage swift action to end the remaining practices of bile farming in the region.