Farm Animals

Bear Bile Farming Phase-Out

Bear bile farming causes extreme suffering and is being phased out as herbal and synthetic alternatives gain acceptance.

Key Facts

Between 10,000-20,000 bears are farmed for bile in China and Vietnam
Farmed bears are kept in crush cages preventing nearly all movement
Bile extraction through catheters or surgical fistulae causes chronic pain and infection
Herbal alternatives to bear bile have been shown to be medically equivalent
Vietnam has committed to phasing out bile farms and China has faced growing pressure

Welfare Considerations

Bear bile farming causes some of the most severe and prolonged suffering documented in any farming system. Bears in crush cages cannot stand, turn around, or express any natural behavior. Chronic infection and pain are routine. The existence of effective alternatives makes continued farming ethically indefensible. Support for phase-out programs directly reduces this extreme suffering.

What You Can Do

Avoid products containing bear bile
Support organizations campaigning for bear bile farm closure
Advocate for government phase-out commitments in range countries
Choose traditional medicine practitioners who use plant-based alternatives
Donate to bear sanctuary organizations providing lifetime care to rescued bears