Bear Welfare in Bile Farming and Sanctuaries

Bear bile farming remains legal in several Asian countries, causing severe chronic suffering for thousands of bears. Sanctuary programs provide rescue and rehabilitation for bears freed from farms.

Key Facts

An estimated 12,000-20,000 bears are kept on bile farms primarily in China and Vietnam
Bears on farms are kept in crush cages so small they cannot stand or turn around
Catheter implantation to extract bile causes chronic pain, infection, and psychological trauma
Bear bile can be replaced by synthetic alternatives or herbal medicines for all medical uses
Animals Asia and other organizations have rescued over 600 bears and closed hundreds of farms

Welfare Considerations

Bear bile farming represents one of the most sustained and severe forms of animal exploitation practiced today. Bears confined in crush cages for years develop severe muscular atrophy, psychological disturbances from confinement, and chronic infections from catheter wounds. The suffering is continuous and lifelong in many cases. The medical justification for bile farming collapses under scrutiny — all components of bear bile have synthetic or plant-based alternatives. Rescue bears at sanctuaries often require years of rehabilitation before they can engage in natural behaviors. Many never fully recover from the physical and psychological trauma.

What You Can Do

Donate to Animals Asia and other organizations rescuing bears from bile farms
Avoid traditional medicine products containing bear bile
Support diplomatic pressure on governments to end bile farming
Advocate for international bans on bear bile trade under CITES frameworks