Legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman has played in concert halls and arenas around the world throughout his career, but his latest audience was unlike any he has encountered before.
Wakeman preformed for 150 rescued moon bears living at a sanctuary in Vietnam.
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The former 'Yes' musician travelled to Animals Asia's bear rescue centre in Tam Dao National Park, where he performed a special piano concert designed to highlight the plight of bears that have suffered in the bile farming industry.
A long-time advocate for animal welfare, Wakeman took to a Yamaha grand piano positioned within the sanctuary and even composed new pieces specifically for the occasion.
Wakeman has supported Animals Asia's rescue efforts for several years, sponsoring bears since 2016 and recently adopting another rescued animal through the charity's programme. His latest performance was created to shine a spotlight on the bears that have already been saved, while also drawing attention to those still being kept in captivity.
The event forms part of a wider campaign encouraging the Vietnamese government to continue efforts to end bile farming and secure freedom for the remaining bears still living in cages. By combining music with activism, Wakeman hopes to help raise awareness of the ongoing rescue work and the need for continued protection of the animals.
Known for his passion for animal welfare, Wakeman shares his home with rescue dogs and cats, making the performance a particularly meaningful project. While the bears may not have been a typical concert crowd, the event delivered an important message about conservation, compassion and the ongoing fight to improve animal welfare standards.
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