Sun bears are kept in bile farms across Southeast Asia for bile extraction used in traditional medicine. Sanctuary rescue and rehabilitation offers welfare relief for survivors.
Bile farm bears experience severe, prolonged welfare harm. Confinement in crush cages causes atrophy, joint disease, and stereotypic behaviors from complete movement restriction. Bile extraction procedures cause pain and infection. Bears may spend years or decades in these conditions. Sanctuary rescue provides relief — rescued bears often show initial fearful behavior before gradually engaging in play, foraging, and social interaction as trauma responses diminish. Supporting bile farm bear sanctuaries provides direct welfare relief. Demand reduction for bear bile products — through synthetic alternatives promotion — addresses the root cause.