Asiatic Black Bears:
Threats and Legal Protection

November 30, 2021Lu Shegay

Introduction

The Asiatic black bear, otherwise known as the Asian black bear, the moon bear, and white-chested bear, is a species of medium-sized bears native to Asian countries. This species can be found in the Himalayas, southeastern area of Iran, the northern area of the Indian subcontinent, the Korean Peninsula, the northeastern area of China, the Russian Far East, the islands of Honshu and Shikoku in Japan, and Taiwan. This species is classified as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List and is mainly threatened by habitat loss and poaching for the purposes of use in traditional medicine.

"Asiatic Black Bear" by andrusdevelopment is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Threats

Habitat loss is an obvious consequence of climate change and is the leading cause of deforestation. Thus, this becomes a serious issue for many wildlife species of animals and plants that are connected to their habitat. The Asiatic black bear is not the exception because the main habitat of these animals is forests that are being overcut. The elimination of forests is associated with human development and urbanization. In China, for instance, human populations increased to more than 430 000 in regions where bears generally live (Shaanxi, Ganshu, Sichuan provinces). During 1950-1985, there were approximately 27 forestry enterprises built, and by the early 1990s, the habitat of the Asian black bear was reduced to one-fifth of the area that existed before the 1940s.


However, the major threat to these animals remains poaching because of the use of these animals’ body parts in traditional medicine. Moreover, overhunting activities occur because of the great economic value of the Asian black bear’s paws, gallbladders, and their cubs. In India, specifically, poaching for the bears’ gallbladders and skin remain the main threat for animals.

"ASIATIC BLACK BEAR" by cuatrok77 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Bear Bile Farming

Bear bile farming is a common practice involving bears in Asian countries. Particularly, bears are kept in captivity to harvest their bile, which is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. The final destination for this practice is the use in traditional medicine. There are approximately 12 000 bears farmed for bile in such countries as China, South Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, as well as Japan and Malaysia. Species of bears that are commonly farmed for bile is the Asiatic black bear, the sun bear, the brown bear, and some others. The exception is the Giant panda since this species does not produce UDCA. Both the Asiatic black bear and the sun bear are listed in the IUCN Red List and classified as Vulnerable.


Bile farming involves several techniques, all of which require surgery at some point, and may leave a permanent fistula or inserted catheter. Many species of bears die mainly due to the stress of unskilled surgery or the infections which may occur. Bears are kept in small cages, and this prevents them from standing or sitting upright, or from turning around. These highly restrictive cage systems and the low level of skilled husbandry can lead to a wide range of welfare concerns including physical injuries, pain, severe mental stress, and muscle atrophy. Some of the bears are caught as cubs and may be kept in captivity for up to 30 years.


Read more: Pills, Powders, Vials, and Flakes: The Bear Bile Trade in Asia


1. Bear bile does have medicinal uses but there are cruelty-free alternatives

Bear bile has been used in traditional Asian medicine for thousands of years. It contains high levels of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) known to be useful for treating liver and gall bladder conditions in humans. However, there are now many readily available herbal and synthetic alternatives with the same medicinal properties. Traditional medicine practitioners agree that nobody’s health will suffer from a lack of bear bile. According to recent official numbers, at least 10,000 bears are currently kept on bile farms in Asia.


2. Extracting bile from bears is as cruel and painful as you would imagine

The extraction of bear bile from live bears causes unimaginable physical and psychological suffering and long-term health problems. A number of extraction techniques exist, all of which are invasive and traumatic. The techniques vary between Vietnam and China and range from the “free drip” method where the bear suffers a hole in their gall bladder which is continuously reopened, to the insertion of permanent catheters, to locating the gall bladder via ultrasound and extracting bile through a four-inch needle.


While extraction methods vary, all bears live in tiny cages for the duration of their time on bile farms. “Crush cages” and “full metal jackets” are now illegal in China, but are still likely to be used on poorer farms. Most farmed bears are starved and dehydrated as this can encourage bile production. Because of the unnatural and unhygienic conditions, they are forced to live in, many also suffer from multiple diseases and malignant tumors that ultimately kill them.


3. There are alternatives to bear bile

There are over 50 herbal alternatives and many inexpensive synthetic alternatives to bear bile. Animals Asia engages with the traditional medical community and users of bear bile to promote alternatives and reduce demand through our Healing without Harm campaign.


4. Bear bile farming is legal in China but not in Vietnam

Unfortunately, bear bile farming is still completely legal in China. Although there are regulations in place aimed at curbing the worst cruelty, these are often ignored and so far there have been no prosecutions. In Vietnam, bear bile farming has been illegal since 1992 but has persisted due to legal loopholes and continued demand.

"No Bear Bile Products Sold Here" by Gary Soup is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Legal Protection

Internationally, the Asiatic black bear is included in Appendix I of CITES, which has the highest protection in the trade of the species and their body parts. Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction and trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. However, this does not prevent the trade in these animals completely and there is still the issue of prosecution. The major issues for prosecuting illegal wildlife-related activities include a lack of witnesses and a lack of Wildlife Forensic Labs to determine the originality of confiscated animal products and derived products.


China in its National Protection Wildlife Law lists the Asiatic black bear as a protected species of animals within the country, providing that anyone hunting or catching bears without a special permit is subjected to severe punishment under the law.


India includes this species of bears in its National Red Book and Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, classifying as Vulnerable. But it still remains challenging to prosecute smuggling activities due to India’s wide-stretching boundaries with other countries, such as China, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan, etc.


The government of Vietnam issued Decision 276/QD, 276/1989, which prohibits the hunting and exporting of Asian black bears.


In 1991, Japan listed five Asiatic black bear populations as endangered in its Red Book, which are Kyushu, Shikoku, West-Chugoku, East-Chugoku, and Kii areas. Despite this, there is still a lack of efficient conservation methods for the black bear population in Japan.

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