South Korea Announces an End to Bear Bile Farming

​www.worldanimalprotection.ca/news/south-korea-announces-end-bear-bile-farming

South Korea has announced an end to bear bile farming stating that the practice will be entirely phased out by 2026. As part of the commitment, the remaining bears will be properly cared for after the end of  bile extraction in the country. This news comes after years of campaigning and activism targeting the bear bile industry and exposing it as needless cruelty for alternative medicines without scientific backing. 

Bears within the industry are kept caged with unacceptable access to food, water, and space to move. The bears are groomed over years until they reach the age of ten at which point they can be slaughtered to remove their gall bladders. The bile obtained is thought to have medicinal purposes although that has never been linked to any scientific evidence. The industry is needlessly cruel and exploits bears for medicines that are ineffective and outdated when herbal options are readily available. There is no place for bear bile farming on our planet any longer.

Sanctuaries are already being constructed around the country to accommodate bears after the end of bile farming in 2026 but activists are urging for more development to house ALL remaining bears. It is reported that there are roughly 360 bears on bile farms within South Korea and a whopping 24, 000 on farms throughout Asia. The construction of sanctuaries intends to house all remaining bears after the ban comes in to effect. We must also hope that this triggers other Asian nations to recognize the needlessness of bear bile farming and join South Korea in ending this cruel practice.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the campaigning as well as to the South Korean Government and Bear farmers for their cooperation in ending bear bile farming in the country. Learn more through the link at the top of this post!

HAPPY VEG