Chinh rescued after 20 years of captive cruelty
News
A bear forced to live alone in a small cage for the last 20 years has finally been released to safety.
Bear bile
What is bear bile farming?
Bear bile farming is the practice of extracting bile from live bears for use in Traditional Asian Medicine. Bears are kept in captivity and repeatedly subjected to painful extraction procedures.
The industry expanded in the 1980s when bile extraction was industrialized and farms spread across several Asian countries.
Despite the availability of herbal and synthetic alternatives, thousands of bears are still kept in captivity for this purpose.
Quick facts about bear bile farming
- What it is: Extraction of bile from live bears for use in Traditional Asian Medicine
- Where it occurs: Mainly China, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and South Korea
- Animals affected: Primarily Asiatic black bears (moon bears)
- Industry size: Tens of thousands of bears are kept in bile farms across Asia
- Animal welfare issues: Extreme confinement, invasive extraction procedures and long-term suffering
- Alternatives exist: Herbal and synthetic substitutes are widely available
Why bear bile farming causes severe animal suffering
Bears kept on bile farms experience significant physical and psychological suffering.
Extreme confinement
Many bears spend their entire lives inside small metal cages that severely restrict movement. These cages prevent bears from walking, climbing or engaging in natural behaviours such as foraging or exploring.
Years of confinement can lead to muscle deterioration, deformities and chronic stress.
Painful bile extraction
Several techniques are used to extract bile from bears and these procedures can cause serious health complications.
Common problems include:
- infections
- gallstones
- abscesses
- bladder inflammation
- ulcerations
In some cases, bile is drained through a permanent opening in the bear’s abdomen, which can lead to long-term pain and illness.
Long-term psychological distress
Living in confined conditions without stimulation can cause severe psychological distress.
Bears on bile farms may show behaviours such as:
- rocking or pacing repeatedly
- self-injury
- vocalizations that indicate distress
These behaviours are widely recognized indicators of poor welfare in captive wild animals.
The bear bile trade in numbers
Vietnam:
- Sedation and anaesthetization used in bile extraction.
- 2005: Vietnamese government bans bile farming.
- Bears microchipped and registered to prevent illegal farming.
- Significant reduction in bear farming: 95% fewer bears in captivity since 2005.
China:
- Bears kept in restrictive 'crush' cages.
- Bile extracted often without anaesthesia, causing severe pain.
- State-sanctioned industry worth over US$1 billion.
- Over 20,000 bears in licensed farms, plus potential illegal operations.
Global impact of the bear bile industry
The bear bile industry, while predominantly active in Asia, has implications worldwide. In countries like Canada, bears are not typically farmed for bile, but the demand for bear bile products can contribute to a global market that impacts bear populations. This global demand can indirectly affect bears in Canada and other countries, either through illegal poaching or the trafficking of bear parts. It's important to recognize that while the practice of bile extraction might not occur locally in Canada, the international trade and demand for bear bile can have far-reaching effects on bear populations globally.
World Animal Protection’s work to end bear bile farming
World Animal Protection works with governments, partners and communities to end bear bile farming and protect bears from exploitation.
This work includes:
- supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of captive bears
- advocating for laws to end bile farming
- raising public awareness about the cruelty involved
- promoting humane alternatives to bear bile
Supporters have helped achieve important progress, including major reductions in bile farming and commitments to phase out the industry.
Bear rescued after 20 years in a tiny cage
News
After enduring twenty years in captivity, a dedicated team of wildlife experts and local authorities successfully rescued an adult female bear named Na from a bear bile farm.
The bear bile industry in South Korea to end
News
We are very close to the final stages of our campaign to end the cruel bear bile industry in South Korea, working in partnership with Green Korea United.
End in sight for cruel bear bile industry in Vietnam
News
We’re a huge step closer to ending the country’s bear bile industry, which involves painfully extracting bile from bears for use in traditional medicine
How you are phasing out bear bile farming in South Korea
News
How you are phasing out bear bile farming in South Korea
People of China ready to turn against bear bile
News
Overwhelming support within China to end the bear bile industry
FAQ
What is bear bile used for?
Bear bile has traditionally been used in some forms of Traditional Asian Medicine to treat liver and gallbladder conditions.
Why are bears farmed for bile?
Some producers believe bear bile has medicinal properties. However, the active compound can now be produced synthetically.
Is bear bile farming illegal?
Laws vary by country. Some nations have banned the practice or are phasing it out, while others still permit it.
Are there alternatives to bear bile?
Yes. Herbal remedies and synthetic medicines provide the same medical compounds without harming animals.