Captive Bear Welfare and Bile Farming

Bears kept in captivity for bile extraction endure some of the most severe welfare abuses documented in animal agriculture. Understanding their plight is essential for those working to end this practice.

Key Facts

An estimated 10,000-20,000 bears are kept on bile farms in Asia, primarily in China, Vietnam, and Laos
Bears are kept in crush cages so small they cannot stand or turn around, often for decades
Bile is extracted via catheters or tubes implanted in the gallbladder — a painful, infection-prone procedure
Moon bears and sun bears are most commonly farmed; both are threatened in the wild
Synthetic and plant-based alternatives to bear bile exist for all traditional medicinal applications
Sanctuary bears rescued from bile farms display severe psychological trauma, including stereotypic behaviors

Welfare Considerations

Bear bile farming inflicts extreme and prolonged suffering. Bears in crush cages cannot perform any natural behaviors — movement, exploration, climbing, foraging, or social interaction. Chronic pain from bile extraction procedures causes constant distress. Psychological suffering is severe and long-lasting; rescued bears often exhibit stereotypic behaviors for years after release into sanctuaries. The practice persists despite the availability of synthetic alternatives and growing opposition within the countries where it occurs. Consumer pressure and legislative advocacy have successfully reduced the industry in some regions.

What You Can Do

Never purchase products containing bear bile or labeled with traditional medicine containing bile
Support Animals Asia Foundation and Free the Bears in their rescue and advocacy work
Advocate for your government to maintain bans on importing bear bile products
Share information about bear bile farming with traditional medicine practitioners
Support sanctuary programs that rehabilitate rescued bile bears