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Habitat loss and fragmentation (leading to isolated populations that
are
more vulnerable to extinction) and the commercialisation of bear parts
and bile juice for Traditional Medicine, are the major threats to the
long-term survival of Moon Bears. Bears and humans have similar
habitat preferences (e.g. valley floors, fertile soils and easy access)
and the increasing demands of the human population for living space as
well as resources such as timber are having a devastating effect on
the availability of suitable habitats for wild Asiatic Black Bears.
Asiatic Black Bears also face a severe threat from
poachers as demand for bears and bear parts for use in traditional
medicines, the restaurant trade and as "trophy pets" is placing the
future of these beautiful animals in extreme jeopardy. Of all
the different species the Asiatic Black Bear has been most affected by
the demand for bile acid. |
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The Bile Trade The bile salts found in the gallbladder of Asiatic Black Bears
have been used in traditional medicine for around 3,000
years to treat conditions such as cirrhosis of the
liver, jaundice, high blood pressure, diabetes, severe burns, heart
disease, haemorrhoids, eye infections, swellings from sprains and
tooth decay. The active ingredient in bear bile, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA),
is found in gallbladders of other mammals, but is only produced in
significant quantities in the gallbladders of bears.
Scientists in Japan have found a way to synthesize a substitute and
this is used by Western physicians today and Chinese doctors now agree
that bear bile can easily be replaced by herbal and synthetic
alternatives which are cheaper, more effective and more readily
available.
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However,
China, North Korea, South Korea and Vietnam still farm bears for their
bile in order to meet the needs of the traditional medicine industry.
"Farming" methods involve confining bears, often in tiny, cramped
cages, causing terrible suffering. The bears are then "milked" for
their bile after a crude surgical procedure either implanting a steel
catheter into the abdomen or creating a permanent hole in the
abdomen through which the bile will drip. In addition to the
lifetime of pain suffered by the bears that survive large numbers of
bears die as a result of these procedures.
This horrific practice has not resulted in decreased threat to wild
Asiatic Black Bears. All of the bears cared for at
Tat Kuang Si rescue centre were
confiscated as young cubs after poachers had killed their mothers.
Before they were rescued it is likely that they were destined to be smuggled out of the
country and condemned to a life of agony on a bile farm. Demand for gallbladders from wild bears also
continues as some
people believe the farmed bile is less potent to that found in wild
bears. |
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The Restaurant Trade Bear paw is a delicacy on menus in China
and some South East Asian countries.
Bear meat is sometimes eaten and it is believed, by some, to prevent colds,
strengthen the body, provide relief from rheumatism and beri-beri.
Paws, like the meat, are also considered to have medicinal properties.
Bear products on a menu are extremely expensive and
poachers can make money from killing bears and selling the various
parts. In addition to the devastating effect on bear
populations, poaching can also leave a cruel legacy for those bears
that survive and are rescued - the damage caused by traps is so severe
that it is often necessary to amputate when bears have become trapped in a poacher's snare. |
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Please help us to make a difference to the lives of
these bears.
Visit the official website of Free The Bears Fund Inc. for lots more
information,
plus details of how you can help including an opportunity to sponsor
one of the bears at
the Tat Kuang Si rescue centre or any of the other Free The Bears
projects. |
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