Moon bears exploited to extract bile. Finally, something has been done to prevent so many innocent animals from being raised in inhumane conditions on illegal farms to extract the precious substance dear to oriental medicine. Vietnam has signed a historic agreement that should sanction the end of these cruel breeding.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Moon bears exploited to extract the bile. Finally, something has been done to prevent so many innocent animals from being raised in inhumane conditions on illegal farms to extract the precious substance dear to oriental medicine. Vietnam has signed a historic agreement that should sanction the end of these cruel breeding.
For those who did not know bear bile contains an active ingredient known as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), highly appreciated in China and Vietnam thanks to its anti-inflammatory and protective properties against the liver. Medicines but also body products, shampoos and more are enriched with this "ingredient".
Vietnam just got one historic decision by agreeing with Animals Asia to permanently close the bear farms to extract the bile. It was in fact signed un memorandum d'intesa (MOU) which outlines an agreement between the well-known animal rights association and the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) that will work together to save caged bears on farms across Vietnam. Through the MOU the government is committed to ensuring that no bear can any longer be kept by private families (where illegal bile extraction is still undertaken today) and that the approximately 1.000 bears currently held in captivity across the country are move to shrines.
The document was signed on Wednesday 19 July in Hanoi at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It is an agreement that finally it will close the loophole that has allowed companies to continue extracting bile despite the illegality of the practice. This measure is expected to lead to a significant reduction in the demand for bile e will contribute to the end of the illegal market for this substance.
Animal Asia has so far rescued 186 bears in Vietnam since it established its sanctuary in Tam Dao in 2008. Lbreeding of bear bile has actually been illegal in Vietnam since 1992. But with the country lacking the resources and skills to build animal rescue and care centers, families have been allowed to keep bears on behalf of the government. This loophole has made it possible to continue breeding bears to this day to extract their bile.
The signing of this agreement is obviously an important result in the battle to end this cruelty but this obviously will not mean the immediate cessation of the farms. In fact, they arise now fundamental issues to solve: first the need for finance and manage the sanctuaries and then proceed with the transfer of private bears to the rescue centers. It is obviously foreseen the construction of new sanctuaries and greater assistance in the existing ones.
Bears already free in the Animals Asia Sanctuary
On moon bears and bile you may also be interested in:
- THE BEARS OF THE MOON "MILKED" FOR BILE IN CHINA (VIDEO)
- THE BEAR SAVED FROM THE BILE FARM WHO WALKS ON STAND LIKE A HUMAN BEING (VIDEO)
- A SIGNATURE TO SAVE 23 BEARS OF A BILE FARM. 4 ALREADY DEAD OF INEDIA
When could we say that China is also committed to the abolition of illegal bile farms where there are still about 10 moon bears? We look forward to that day!
Photo: AnimalAsia
