Stop the barbaric ritual of harvesting bear bile
Stop the barbaric ritual of harvesting bear bile
The Issue
Asian moon bears are a magnificent species, resembling a cross between pandas and black bears. Their populations have plummeted in the last decades, and recent estimates put the worldwide population at just 25,000. But their story gets worse -- upwards of half this population is currently in captivity, being farmed for their bile, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
The conditions these bears endure are horrifying: they spend their lives -- anywhere from 5 to 20 years -- in tiny “crush cages,” the sides of which can be moved inwards to restrain them. The bile is “milked” from them several times a day, by way of permanently implanted catheters that often become infected. The death rate from injury is incredibly high. Mentally, the entire ordeal is so painful that the bears have been known to chew off their own paws. Some even kill themselves by punching themselves in the stomach to stop the pain.
Scientists have scrutinized the health benefits of bear bile, but they have not been able to find any medicinal value in it. What’s more, there are now many herbal and synthetic alternatives that are just as effective, and much cheaper to buy and produce.
Though there are some bear bile farms in Vietnam, Laos and North Korea, the vast majority are in China. The Chinese people are waking up to this barbaric cruelty, and many have spoken against it. It is time for the Chinese government to listen to the will of the people and outlaw bear bile farming immediately.
Many people have become active in the fight against such cruelty. In the words of a high school girl who recently visited a bear sanctuary, “It’s brutal and disrespectful to the bears, and a disgrace to the human race.” Now, more than ever, these bears need our help. We must stand together and condemn this inhumane industry. Please, tell your friends, sign and share this petition with everyone you know around the world. Together, we can end the barbaric imprisonment of moon and sun bears for bile extraction.
Ask the Chinese government to outlaw bear bile farming now.
The Issue
Asian moon bears are a magnificent species, resembling a cross between pandas and black bears. Their populations have plummeted in the last decades, and recent estimates put the worldwide population at just 25,000. But their story gets worse -- upwards of half this population is currently in captivity, being farmed for their bile, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
The conditions these bears endure are horrifying: they spend their lives -- anywhere from 5 to 20 years -- in tiny “crush cages,” the sides of which can be moved inwards to restrain them. The bile is “milked” from them several times a day, by way of permanently implanted catheters that often become infected. The death rate from injury is incredibly high. Mentally, the entire ordeal is so painful that the bears have been known to chew off their own paws. Some even kill themselves by punching themselves in the stomach to stop the pain.
Scientists have scrutinized the health benefits of bear bile, but they have not been able to find any medicinal value in it. What’s more, there are now many herbal and synthetic alternatives that are just as effective, and much cheaper to buy and produce.
Though there are some bear bile farms in Vietnam, Laos and North Korea, the vast majority are in China. The Chinese people are waking up to this barbaric cruelty, and many have spoken against it. It is time for the Chinese government to listen to the will of the people and outlaw bear bile farming immediately.
Many people have become active in the fight against such cruelty. In the words of a high school girl who recently visited a bear sanctuary, “It’s brutal and disrespectful to the bears, and a disgrace to the human race.” Now, more than ever, these bears need our help. We must stand together and condemn this inhumane industry. Please, tell your friends, sign and share this petition with everyone you know around the world. Together, we can end the barbaric imprisonment of moon and sun bears for bile extraction.
Ask the Chinese government to outlaw bear bile farming now.
Petition Closed
Share this petition
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on April 21, 2016