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Compromised health and welfare of bears farmed for bile in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

IK Loeffler ,
J Robinson  and
G Cochrane
IK Loeffler*
Affiliation:
International Fund for Animal Welfare, Room 908 Golden Tower No 1, Xibahe South Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100028, China
J Robinson
Affiliation:
Animals Asia Foundation Ltd, GPO Box 374, Hong Kong
G Cochrane
Affiliation:
Tai Wai Small Animal and Exotic Hospital, 75 Chik Shun Street, Tai Wai, Hong Kong
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: katiloeffler@gmail.com
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Abstract

The practice of farming bears for bile extraction is legal in China and involves an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 animals, primarily Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus). This study outlines the compromises to health and welfare suffered by bears on bile farms and is based on the results of visits to more than 50 bear farms; 15 years’ worth of interviews with bear farmers, Chinese officials, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine and vendors dealing in bear parts; and from the observation and care of approximately 250 bears that have been rescued from bile farms. Bears that have been rescued from farms display evidence of severe and chronic physical and psychological suffering. Medical complications arising from the husbandry and the gall bladder fistulation significantly, and often fatally, compromise bears’ health.

Keywords

animal welfareAsiatic black bearbear bilebile farmingChinagall bladder
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 18 , Issue 3 , August 2009 , pp. 225 - 235
Copyright
© 2009 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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