The vetrinary, behavioral, and welfare implications of bear farming in Asia
Publication Type: |
Book |
Year of Publication: |
2000 |
Authors: |
Barbara Maas |
Publication/Journal: |
|
Publisher: |
World society for the protection of animals |
Keywords: |
bear farming, welfare |
Abstract:
According to official figures more than 7000 bears are kept in Chinese bile farms (Fan and
Song, 1997). Additional animals are held in Korea and Vietnam.The primary purpose of
these farms is to provide bile for traditional Chinese medicine, often referred to as TCM. The
bile is collected from caged live bears by means of permanent percutaneous gall bladder
cannulae or tissue fistulae.
This report provides an up to date assessment of the behavioural, veterinary and welfare
problems associated with bear farming in Asia. It is based on information obtained from two
independent surveys of 44 Asian bear bile farms, carried out during the last 15 months. The
report examines acute and long-term stress effects on the bear health and welfare, and argues
that the collective environmental challenges imposed by confined barren housing, poor
hygiene and nutrition, improper surgery and veterinary care, early weaning and maternal
separation exceed the animals’ adaptive limitations.