Wildlife

Sun Bear Welfare and Bear Bile Farming

Sun bears and other Asian bear species are kept on bile farms in Vietnam and China, where their welfare is severely compromised by chronic confinement and invasive bile extraction.

Key Facts

An estimated 10,000-12,000 bears remain on bile farms across Asia
Bile is extracted through permanently implanted catheters or squeezing of the gallbladder
Farm conditions involve extreme confinement in crush cages
Sun bears are the smallest bear species and are forest specialists
Vietnam committed to phasing out bear bile farming; China has not

Welfare Considerations

Bear bile farming causes continuous suffering through extreme confinement preventing natural movement, invasive surgical procedures, and psychological deprivation. Animals Saved by Sanctuaries (Animals Asia) rescues farm bears and provides rehabilitation demonstrating that welfare recovery is possible. The practice continues due to demand for traditional medicine ingredients with plant-based alternatives available.

What You Can Do

Donate to Animals Asia bear rescue and sanctuary work
Support campaigns for bear bile farming phase-out legislation
Avoid all products containing bear bile
Advocate for Traditional Chinese Medicine reform to eliminate bear bile ingredients