Bear Bile Farming and Welfare Reform

Bear bile farming in Asia holds thousands of bears in crush cages for bile extraction, causing severe welfare harm that welfare organizations are working to end.

Key Facts

An estimated 12,000-20,000 bears are held on bear bile farms in China, Vietnam, and Laos
Bile is extracted through catheters or fistulas surgically implanted in the bear abdomen
Crush cages prevent bears from standing, turning, or performing any natural behavior
Synthetic and plant-based alternatives to bear bile are effective and widely available
The number of bile bears in Vietnam has declined significantly following welfare campaigns and legal pressure

Welfare Considerations

Bear bile farming causes some of the most severe and prolonged welfare suffering of any captive animal practice. Bears confined in crush cages for years or decades cannot perform any natural behavior, suffer from the physical trauma of bile extraction, and develop profound psychological abnormalities including stereotypic behavior. The medical argument for bear bile — that it has properties unavailable from alternatives — has been scientifically challenged. Effective plant-based and synthetic alternatives exist. The welfare case for ending bear bile farming is overwhelming, and significant progress has been made in Vietnam and is ongoing in China.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing traditional medicine products that list bear bile as an ingredient
Support Animals Asia and World Animal Protection campaigns for bear bile farming closure
Advocate for national bans on bear bile farming and stronger enforcement where bans exist
Donate to organizations funding bear rescue from bile farms and sanctuary rehabilitation