Trailblazing conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, who died in October aged 91, became the guardian of a moon bear rescued from years of inhumane conditions the year before her death.
The bear, which she named Robinson in honour of her close friend Jill Robinson MBE, founder of charity Animals Asia, had spent 15 brutal years in a cage in Vietnam.
Thankfully, she was rescued last year from the bear bile farm by the charity, which Jane was a long-term supporter of - albeit deeply traumatised, missing part of her front paw and most of her hind paw.
Now, in a moving op-ed written to announce her guardianship of Robinson, due to be released while the much-loved primatologist was alive - and now revealed posthumously and exclusively by the Mirror, the beloved animal campaigner wrote poignantly of the animal's horrific conditions - and how she never gave up on saving him.
"Imagine being ripped away from your mother as a child, spending fifteen years in a tiny metal-barred cage, and being jabbed almost every day with long needles. That is what happened to my bear Robinson", she wrote.
"I've spent my life trying to speak up for animals, and I know only too well some of the terrible pain people can inflict on them. But even I was horrified when I found out what happens to bears used for bile extraction.
"These poor moon bears spend most of their lives locked in a cage where bear bile farmers painfully extract their bile to be used in traditional medicine."
Founder of The Jane Goodall Institute and a UN Messenger of Peace, Jane - who over the course of 60 years uncovered the uncannily human world of chimpanzees, went on to explain that, trapped on one of these farms in Vietnam, Robinson was bravely rescued by the frontline team at Animals Asia.
Having arrived at the location early, they discovered a heartbreaking sight - bears lined up in cages in a cold, damp shed - no doubt bitter cold at night and unbearably hot and humid in summer.
She explained, "Robinson came to her sanctuary missing a front paw - most likely from being caught in a snare as a cub. She probably saw her mother die in front of her. Yet in spite of all that terror, she's sassy but sweet and gentle. She has a crooked little smile and she is, as her carers describe her, a sleeping goddess."
Goodall, who had previously become guardian of another bear, Mandala, explained that the decision to become a guardian for a rescued bile farm bear may sound small - but to her, was deeply personal. "The bear I'm now linked to is a survivor. And the woman I named her after - Jill Robinson - has done more to end this cruelty than anyone I've met.
"Jill founded Animals Asia because she had the courage to find out what was happening to these bears and do something about it. I first visited one of their sanctuaries years ago and kissed a bear on the nose - not the wisest move, but a moment I'll never forget. Like me, Jill has never given up. Her whole life has been about giving these bears a second chance."
Goodall also revealed touchingly how Robinson was slowly coming out of her shell in her new home at the Animals Asia 2-hectare sanctuary, set in the beautiful, mountainous surroundings of the Bach Ma National Park, which she shares with another bear, Manu.
"They sleep curled up in straw together, play with hessian sacks, and splash around in the pool. She takes her medicine in sweet syrup and rests on a hammock in the sun. She still lives with the after effects of her injuries, but now she is safe."
Thanks to the tireless work of Animals Asia, she explained, bile extraction is now illegal, but many bears still remain trapped, explaining that the charity has an agreement with the Vietnamese government to rescue every remaining bear - but a legal loophole is slowing down progress, and time is running out to save the final 150 bears before they die from decades of abuse.
What gave her hope, she said, was "the determination of fearless individuals to put an end to animal cruelty, and the resilience of animals themselves. With time and care these beautiful bears can recover. For Robinson, the time for healing has come. I hope it can also come for every last bear still waiting."
It was during a poignant conversation which took place in May 2023 between Goodall and her friend Jill Robinson about their incredible careers, that she revealed that she would name the rescued bear after her good friend.
Robinson confessed, "It makes it more special than I can say to have a bear named by Jane Goodall. I will take that and we will choose a bear appropriately. Probably the scruffiest bear that needs lots and lots of care and attention and is nearly naked and you know, isn't the prettiest bear at all."
Poignantly, Jane also expressed her desire to return to Vietnam and see the great work Animals Asia were doing on the ground. A delighted Robinson said, "The program is still going to be running as bear farming is winding down in the country. So please, please do come. I'm going to say a big fat yes to that and keep you to your word."
Goodall replied, "You know, we just do what we do, don't we? I have to do more than ever because next year I'll be 90. I don't know how long I have left, I've got to speed up and do more in the time I have left."
Jane Goodall's death in LA on October 1st, led to widespread mourning and tributes from across the world. Prince Harry was one of them. He met the world-famous activist in 2018, the pair reportedly "clicking" when she taught him a unique chimpanzee greeting.
That first meeting was followed by Goodall's visit to Frogmore Cottage the following year, where she held the couple's newborn son, Prince Archie, and showered the family with care.
Upon her passing, Harry posted a heartfelt statement on social media with wife Meghan Markle, where he remembered the icon as a "visionary humanitarian, scientist, friend to the planet, and friend to us."
She may be gone, but Jane Goodall left a fierce legacy. As she once said, "We are the most intellectual species to walk the planet, but we're not intelligent. If you're intelligent you don't destroy your only home."