The bears at Animals Asia’s sanctuary in Tam Dao National Park, Vietnam, were entranced as rock legend Rick Wakeman began to play.

As the music went on, the bears became more inquisitive and ventured nearer. To Wakeman’s delight was clear as 11 moon bears came to sit in the lush grass to watch, coming right up to the piano to listen while lazing in the sun for their private concert.

One bear, Georges, even stood up near the piano to get a closer look. The curious bears included Hector, Cintron, Xin Xin, Taz and Nora Jamjack.

The bears were entranced by Rick Wakeman’s playing. (Image: Animals Asia)

Georges, the bear who came right up to the piano, in a cage as a cub. (Image: Animals Asia)

Rick visits Dawn the bear. (Image: Animals Asia)

Wakeman, who has lived on the Shotley Peninsula with his wife for three years, was deeply moved upon learning of the plight of bears kept on bile farms.

Bear bile is the fourth-largest market in East Asia’s illegal wildlife trade, helping drive a dramatic fall in Asiatic black bear numbers, with nearly a third lost worldwide in 30 years.

Vietnam has since banned bile extraction, but 125 bears remain trapped in cages at former farms and desperately need freedom. Around four die in these conditions each month.

A long-time ambassador for Animals Asia, Wakeman became guardian to a rescued moon bear called Cyril Wolverine in 2016, who he named after his father.

This first-of-its-kind concert is intended to highlight the bears’ fate and the ongoing need for action.

Rick Wakeman was inspired to raise awareness after hearing of the bears’ plight. (Image: Animals Asia)

Rick Wakeman said this was the most extraordinary concert of his life. (Image: Animals Asia)

One bear, Georges, came right up to the piano, fascinated by the music. (Image: Animals Asia)

“It is honestly the most extraordinary concert of my life,” said Wakeman, 77. “I was looking at the bears the whole time, I almost forgot what I was playing.

“It was like I was in a bubble – just me and the bears. I mean I’ll never in my life get to play a concert to such a well-behaved audience! They were brilliant.

“There were two bears in particular who came right up to the edge and I deliberately played around with the music a little bit as there were definitely certain things that they reacted to more than others. Obviously, we know music affects humans so I now know it affects bears too!”

Rick Wakeman pictured at the unveiling of a blue plaque outside the former home of the late T.Rex singer and guitarist Marc Bolan. (Image: PA / James Manning)

Moon pictured at the Animals Asia sanctuary. (Image: Animals Asia)

Rick Wakeman was formerly a guardian to Cyril the bear, now deceased. (Image: Animals Asia)

Rick Wakeman and Animals Asia founder and CEO Jill Robinson in Rick’s garden. (Image: Animals Asia)

Dr Jill Robinson MBE, Founder and CEO of Animals Asia, said: “Today has been the most magical day. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“To see these beautiful bears, who’ve known such pain and suffering, experience music played for them in the most special of settings, was such a privilege.

“This has been a wonderful celebration of hope and of gratitude to all the bears. But it’s also a heartfelt promise to help the remaining bears who are left behind.”

Wakeman is one of 33 celebrities, as well as almost 55,000 members of the public, to sign an open letter to the Vietnamese Prime Minister, calling for the final bears to be freed.

To sign the letter, visit:

https://www.animalsasia.org/support-us/free-the-final-bears-letter