Bear Bile Farming Welfare Crisis

Bear bile farming confines thousands of Asian black bears in crush cages for bile extraction, causing extreme suffering in one of the most condemned wildlife practices globally.

Key Facts

An estimated 10,000-20,000 bears are farmed for bile in China, Vietnam, and Laos
Farmed bears are kept in crush cages that prevent standing or turning
Bile is extracted through catheters or open holes in the abdomen causing chronic infection
Bear bile is used in traditional Chinese medicine despite available synthetic alternatives
Sanctuaries in Vietnam and China have demonstrated that bears can be rehabilitated from farming

Welfare Considerations

Bear bile farming inflicts sustained, extreme suffering through two mechanisms: chronic confinement in spaces so small that bears cannot stand or turn, and repeated bile extraction through wounds that become chronically infected. Bears on farms show multiple signs of profound chronic distress. The welfare case for ending bear bile farming is unambiguous — synthetic ursodeoxycholic acid provides identical medical benefits, making the practice medically unnecessary as well as ethically unjustifiable.

What You Can Do

Never purchase traditional medicines containing bear bile
Support organizations working to close bear bile farms and rehabilitate survivors
Advocate for international pressure on governments that permit bear bile farming
Choose certified products that do not contain bear or other wildlife derivatives