Veteran musician Rick Wakeman, known for his work with the band Yes and a prolific solo career, performed a unique piano concert this week for an audience of 150 rescued moon bears at a sanctuary in Vietnam. The performance aimed to draw global attention to the plight of moon bears still held in cruel conditions for bile extraction.
Wakeman, a long-time supporter of animal welfare causes, played a Yamaha grand piano at Animals Asia’s bear sanctuary, located within the scenic Tam Dao national park. He composed new music specifically for the rescued animals.
The British keyboardist, who sponsors rescue bears and recently adopted a 20-month-old cub, expressed his personal connection to the animals. "He’s only 20 months old, a big fella, I went to see him today. He came out right to the edge and stood on his back legs and just stared at me, it was brilliant, " Wakeman recounted.
His concert sought to raise awareness for the 125 bears still confined in cages at former bile farms across Vietnam. Wakeman highlighted the urgency of their situation, noting that approximately four bears are dying each month in these facilities. "We have to get them out quick and into the sanctuary, " he urged.
Bile extraction, a practice used in traditional Chinese medicine, involves inserting a needle into a bear's gall bladder. Bears are often kept in cramped, poor conditions in countries like China and Vietnam. Although the practice has been banned in Vietnam, some bears remain in captivity.
The illegal wildlife trade in East Asia sees bear bile as its fourth-biggest market. This trade has led to a dramatic decline in Asiatic black bear populations in Vietnam, with nearly a third of their global numbers lost over the past 30 years.
Sanctuary Life and Rehabilitation
Wakeman described the stark contrast between the bears' past and present lives. Many rescued animals at the sanctuary had spent 10 or 20 years chained in cages, unable to even turn around. Some had never felt grass beneath their feet before their rescue.
"To see the bears be rehabilitated, having a life they never had before, some have never put their feet on grass before, " Wakeman said. "They are so wonderful, that we can do such horrendous things to animals is beyond belief."
At the sanctuary, the bears are safe and happy, engaging in play and romping. Wakeman observed two bears jumping into a bubble bath during his visit. He noted their almost human-like expressions. "If you see them, you can’t help but be moved. They aren’t tame but they are very safe, very happy, they play, they romp. They’ve got a life back."
Ahead of his performance, Wakeman joked about his setlist, saying, "Before you ask, I won’t be playing the teddy bear’s picnic." He also commented on the intense heat, comparing it to double the recent English heatwave. He declined an offer for a fan, believing it would only circulate more hot air.
Wakeman expressed confidence that the bears would respond positively to his music. "It’s a well-known fact that all animals react to music, especially gentle melodic music, " he stated. "So what I am going to do is piano music that is melodic, and I can only hope that they will come up to the perimeter of the sanctuary and have a listen."
His own rescue dogs and cats back home in Suffolk are accustomed to his music. One cat would jump on his grand piano and rattle the strings if he stopped playing. His dogs will simply walk out if they dislike a piece. Wakeman noted his cats prefer melody over metal, grunge, or rap.
Dr. Jill Robinson, founder and CEO of Animals Asia, praised Wakeman's commitment. "We are beyond blessed to have Rick’s support for Animals Asia and the bears, " Robinson said. "His love for them is immeasurable and can be heard in the beautifully haunting music he has written for them."
Robinson expressed excitement for the open-air performance in Tam Dao national park and anticipated the bears' reactions. Wakeman himself hoped for a simple outcome. "I hope they lay down and have a listen, that would make my day. I would have a big grin on my face."
