Farmed Animals

Bear Bile Farming and Welfare Crisis

Bear bile farms in China and Vietnam confine bears in small cages for extraction of bile used in traditional medicine, causing severe and chronic suffering.

Key Facts

An estimated 10,000-20,000 bears are confined on bile farms across Asia
Bile is extracted through permanent holes in the abdomen, causing infection and chronic pain
Bears on farms show extreme stereotypic behaviors including head-bobbing and paw-sucking
Moon bears and sun bears are the primary species farmed, both with complex behavioral needs
Synthetic and herbal alternatives to bear bile are available for all medical applications

Welfare Considerations

Bear bile farming causes some of the most extreme documented animal suffering in Asia. Permanent abdominal fistulas cause chronic infection and pain. Bears in cage systems cannot perform any natural behaviors. The psychological suffering of intelligent, wide-ranging bears confined in barely-moving cages is compounded by physical pain. Medical alternatives make this suffering entirely unnecessary.

What You Can Do

Never purchase products containing bear bile or from suppliers of bear bile products
Support organizations including Animals Asia that rescue bears from bile farms
Advocate for international pressure on governments to end bear bile farming
Learn about synthetic and herbal alternatives to bear bile for all its claimed medical applications
Donate to bear bile farm rescue organizations caring for retired farm bears