Background

Bile, extracted from the gall bladders of live bears throughout Asia, has been used in Traditional medicine for over three thousand years. It is believed that bear bile can be effective in reducing fever and inflammation, and by cooling the blood, and detoxifying the body. An ever increasing surplus of bear bile has seen its recent inclusion in products such as tonics and shampoos that have no basis in Traditional medicine at all.

The active ingredient in bile is ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and bears are the only mammals able to produce significant amounts. UDCA, however, can be produced synthetically.

Despite this, thousands of bears are housed in cruel, inhumane conditions and await the regular extraction of their bile through torturous methods.

The farming of bears for bile is a relatively new development. Farms were first established in the 1980's throughout Korea, China and Vietnam.

It was thought that this farming would have a positive effect on the wild population of bears in Asia, as bears could theoretically be bred in farms for bile extraction, leaving the wild populations undisturbed. However, with bear populations continuing to suffer from illegal hunting throughout many countries in Asia since the establishment of these farms, the evidence suggests that bear farming has had no positive impact on wild bear populations. In fact, many consumers of wildlife products believe that wild bear gall bladders are of higher quality than those of farmed bears, and so wild populations are being decimated due to the trade in traditional medicine, for meat and as pets.

Wild bear populations across the globe are threatened with extinction, with Asiatic black bears and Malayan sun bears classified by the IUCN as Vulnerable. It is believed that illegal poaching of Asiatic black bears from Cambodia and Laos still supplies wild caught animals to farms in Vietnam, China and Korea.

Bears sentenced to life in a bile farm are often kept in coffin sized cages that restrict movement and allow for easier extraction of bile. Some bears are anesthetised and bile is extracted through a huge needle, while others have metal catheters inserted into their gall bladder and permanently held in place by an "iron corset" to allow bile to drain as it is produced. Another method, the 'free dripping technique', involves inserting a rod through the fistula towards the gall bladder, which then drains its content. To prevent the fistula from closing up the wound must be constantly re-opened - usually once or twice a day.  Crude surgery to access the gall bladder and remove bile is also used. Poorly trained staff and unsanitary conditions mean that bears typically do not live longer than 3 or 4 years.

Even though farming bears and trading bear parts has been made illegal in Vietnam, the trade still exists. The Vietnamese Government has agreed to confiscate illegal bears in farms if sanctuaries are constructed to house these animals.

Luckily, several organisations are committed to changing the current situation of bear bile farming. Throughout Asia, non-government organisations are rallying for changes in policing the trade in bear products, educating the population about the cruelty of bear farming and unnecessary use of bear bile, as well as creating sanctuaries to house confiscated bears. These animals deserve a life of happiness and comfort.

Sanctuaries

Free the Bears Fund is dedicating resources to creating sanctuary for bears in Vietnam where they will be able to provide a life free of cruelty and stress, and full of care and love.

Free the Bears Fund has established a partnership with Vietnam based NGO Wildlife at Risk (WAR) to work closely with southern Vietnam provincial authorities and the Forestry Protection Department to confiscate bears from bile farms, as well as provide education and awareness on laws and efforts to end bear bile trade and farming.

Hon Me Wildlife Rescue Project

In 2008 work began on the Hon Me Wildlife Rescue Project (HMWRP) close to Rach Gia in the village of Hon Me.  The site, located in Kien Giang Province, is situated on the side of Hon Me Mountain and encompasses large mango and jackfruit trees, granite rocky outcrops and glorious views of the Gulf of Thailand. An initial 3 hectares has been allocated here, with a further 17 hectares available to us in the future.

This area is already a growing tourist area, due to its proximity to Rach Gia, a major city and main port for tourists visiting Phu Quoc Island. Local authorities of Kien Giang hope that the establishment of a bear rescue centre in their province will bring funds to the local community as well as prove an example to the rest of Vietnam on how to combat the illegal trade in bears and bear products.

In July 2009, the first 9 bears were transferred to the sanctuary marking a great step forward for Vietnam bear conservation.  Currently the centre consists of two large bear houses, four large enclosures, training yards, and all the necessary staff buildings.  In 2010 we plan to accommodate a further 25 bears on site and will continue constructing enclosures and houses needed to provide these bears with the best possible level of care.

Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary

In July 2008 Free the Bears Fund began its support of 16 bears being kept at Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai Province in partnership with WAR. The site currently houses 23 bears rescued from bile farms, illegal traders and private residences throughout surrounding provinces. This sanctuary boasts a large forested enclosure complete with pools, aerial walkways, climbing towers and a lush rainforest backdrop to ensure the bears feel completely at home. Work will soon begin on a Visitor Education Area to teach visitors to the National park about the vital role that bears play in Vietnam’s forest ecology. 

There are several thousand bears awaiting rescue in Vietnam. The ongoing support from our members and donors will enable Free the Bears Fund to provide as many of these animals as possible with the life that they deserve. We are striving to make these sanctuaries operational as soon as possible, and look forward to the day when Vietnamese bears can live a life of happiness and comfort. With your support, we know that this day will come soon.