Meet the Bears: Pickle Nicol – From Pain and Scars to Peace and Sanctuary
All proceeds after manufacturing costs go directly to the Animals Asia Foundation.
Pickle Nicol’s story is one of survival, resilience, and healing. She was one of 132 bears discovered in 2013 on a former bile farm in Nanning, China. Though bile extraction had ended two years earlier, the scars of cruelty remained. The bears lived in barren cages with little food, no medical care, and no hope—until Animals Asia stepped in.
For eight long years, our team stayed at Nanning, fighting for permits and providing daily care until the bears could finally be transported to sanctuary. In 2021, Pickle Nicol’s new life began.
Scars Inside and Out
When Animals Asia first met her, Pickle Nicol was skeletal and frail. She had been fed little more than corn buns and bran gruel, leaving her malnourished and weak. Her paws were declawed, many of her teeth were diseased or missing, and a painful cataract clouded her right eye.
Worse still, a leaking wound from bile extraction marked her belly, while deep scars on her head revealed years of rocking and rubbing—behaviors born of trauma.
And yet, through all of this suffering, Pickle Nicol remained gentle and wise. Her spirit, though battered, was not broken.
The Beginning of Healing
With love, patience, and enrichment, her transformation slowly began. She was introduced to fresh fruit and vegetables, leafy branches, toys, and frozen treats that brought both comfort and stimulation. She particularly loved hose showers—so much so that once, when the water stopped, she slapped her thigh to demand more, making her carers laugh through tears.
Medical care also played a crucial role in her recovery. Painful teeth were removed, and after a delicate three-hour surgery, her diseased gall bladder was finally taken out. Without pain, Pickle Nicol flourished. Her repetitive behaviors eased, her coat grew thick and glossy again, and she began to put on healthy weight.
A New Life in Sanctuary
In May 2021, Pickle Nicol finally arrived at Animals Asia’s Chengdu Bear Sanctuary. There, she had grass beneath her paws, space to roam, and pools to splash in. Though her partial blindness from retinal degeneration remains, she moves confidently through her world—guided by instinct, trust, and joy.
Bonds of Love and Friendship
In sanctuary life, Pickle Nicol discovered something she’d long been denied: friendship. She formed a beautiful bond with Wilberforce, another Nanning survivor. They played together, wrestled, and curled up in the same basket every night. When Wilberforce passed away, Pickle Nicol mourned deeply. But over time, she found companionship again in Shanti, another gentle soul who helped heal her grief.
These connections are a powerful reminder that bears, like us, love, grieve, and cherish their closest bonds.
Pickle Nicol Today – Brave, Beautiful, Loved
Today, Pickle Nicol is thriving. The stripe-like scars on her forehead remain as a testament to all she has survived, but they do not define her. She lives surrounded by love, safety, and freedom—the life every bear deserves.
By purchasing Meet the Bears: Pickle Nicol, you are supporting Animals Asia’s mission to end bear bile farming, provide lifelong sanctuary for survivors, and create a kinder world. Every penny after costs goes directly toward rescuing and caring for more bears just like her.
✨ Pickle Nicol’s journey reminds us that scars can become symbols of strength, and that with compassion, even the deepest wounds can heal.
Meet the perfect gift for any holiday, birthday, or special occasion, the teddy bear with its own t-shirt. Available in an adorable size of 7″ by 10″, the teddy bear comes with a cute bow, super soft synthetic fur, and 100% polyester fiber filling for maximum huggability. All your designs, names, and photos go on the t-shirt in pristine detail and vivid colors.
.: Material: 100% polyester
.: One size: 7″ x 10″ (17.8 x 25.4 cm)
.: Comes with a black bow tie
.: Sewn in label
.: Handwash only (the shirt)
