Wildlife

Sun Bear Welfare and Bile Farming in Asia

Sun bears are the smallest bear species and are illegally captured for bile farming, a practice causing severe suffering in captive individuals.

Key Facts

Sun bears are classified as Vulnerable and declining across Southeast Asia
Bear bile farming involves extracting bile from captive bears using catheters or hole implants
Around 10,000-20,000 bears are estimated to be on bile farms in China and Vietnam
Bile farming causes infections, pain, and severe psychological distress
Sun bears rescued from bile farms often show severe physical and psychological damage

Welfare Considerations

Bile extraction involves surgical implantation of catheters or creation of permanent fistulas in the gallbladder, causing chronic infection and pain. Bears in bile farms are kept in crush cages too small to stand or turn. Chronic stress causes stereotypic behaviors and self-mutilation. Rescued bears require years of rehabilitation. Sun bear cubs orphaned by poaching face starvation or trafficking for the pet trade.

What You Can Do

Support Animals Asia bear rescue programs
Never purchase or use products containing bear bile
Advocate for bear bile farming abolition in China and Vietnam
Donate to sun bear conservation programs in Borneo and Sumatra
Engage with traditional medicine associations on bear bile alternatives