Zoo Sun Bear Conservation and Bile Farm Rescue

Sun bears rescued from bile farming operations require extensive rehabilitation, with dedicated sanctuaries providing specialised care for these traumatised individuals.

Key Facts

Bear bile farming involving sun bears and Asiatic black bears is legal in China and Vietnam with an estimated 12,000-20,000 bears held
Bile is extracted through catheters implanted in bear abdomens — a painful procedure causing chronic infection and suffering
Rescued bears frequently arrive with severe physical trauma, psychological disturbance and chronic health problems
Rehabilitation typically takes years before bears achieve appropriate welfare levels
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Malaysia has rehabilitated over 60 bears since 2008
Bears rescued from bile farming can never be returned to the wild but thrive in sanctuary environments

Welfare Considerations

Bile farm rescue represents some of the most challenging work in animal welfare rehabilitation. Bears confined in crush cages for years — sometimes their entire lives — arrive with severe physical and psychological trauma. The physical damage from implanted catheters, chronic infection and muscle atrophy requires intensive medical care. Psychological rehabilitation requires even longer time as bears learn to use space, socialise appropriately and express natural behaviours. The transformation of rescued bile bears into active, playful individuals demonstrates both the depth of their original suffering and the capacity for recovery.

What You Can Do

Donate to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Animals Asia bear sanctuaries
Never purchase bear bile products or traditional medicines containing bear bile
Support campaigns calling for international trade restrictions on bear bile products
Raise awareness about bile farming conditions to reduce consumer demand in importing countries
Advocate for the Chinese and Vietnamese governments to enforce phase-out commitments