Black bear photo by Carl R. Sams II.

Black bear gallbladder poaching is sadly on the rise, according to the article, “Poaching of bear gallbladders used in traditional medicine increases” in the Los Angeles Times.

This issue is near to my heart as I volunteer for the wonderful organization, Animals Asia, working with their US office in San Fransisco to help raise awareness and funds to end horrific bear bile farming. 

According to the article in the Los Angeles Times, The Humane Society of the United States says that a bear gallbladder can cost more than $3,000 in Asia, where some people use the organ for medicinal purposes.  “Bear gallbladders and bile are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of illnesses including fever, liver disease, convulsions, diabetes, and heart disease,” HSUS’ website states. 

“Clinical research analyzing the medicinal properties of bear gallbladders indicates that they may be effective for treating a number of ills. However, other natural substances already accepted in traditional medicine, as well as synthetic substances, can be substituted.”

Bears in U.S.A. Affected
The problem does not only affect Asian bears. Here in the U.S.A. a young bear with a missing gallbladder was found in Virginia’s Prince William Park earlier this month.

On November, 11 2010, Park Rangers discovered a yearling bear cub dumped on the park’s shared boundary with its gall bladder removed. The Humane Society says there is evidence of increased poaching of America’s black and brown bears, as well as Russia’s brown bear.

GET INVOLVED
Animals Asia

Sign the Petition
Sign the Petition to Help End Bear Farming

Blogs
Jill’s Blog

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Jasper, now a happy moon bear, rescued by Animals Asia after spending 15 years in a "crush cage" in China. Photo credit: Sharon Bowles, Save The Moon Bears Campaign.

Earlier this year, visitors to the Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx Zoo (New York City’s Bronx Zoo) got a chance to walk through the pages of the wonderful children’s book Moon Bear during the zoo’s annual Animal Tales Extravaganza. A portion of the proceeds of this book supports Animals Asia moon bear rescue work.

Asiatic black bears are known as ‘Moon Bears’ for the golden crescent across their chests.

Demand for Bear Bile in United States
Educating kids in the United States about endangered moon bears is very important. I was not going to write about bear farming as I naively thought that it was caused by demand for bear bile only from people overseas. I recently learned that people in the United States are creating demand for bear bile.

Bear gall bladders and bear bile products were found on sale in Traditional Asian Medicine (TAM) shops across the United States according to the report, “From Cage to Consumer“, by the World Society for the Protection of Animals. This report uncovers evidence of the ongoing illegal trade in bear bile products.

Results of Global Investigation
15% of stores surveyed are selling bear bile in United States.

Results of U.S. Investigation-Percentage of Stores Surveyed Selling Bear Bile
Boston: 50%
Chicago: 27%
New York City: 20%
Seattle: 14%
San Francisco: 12%
Los Angeles: 4%
Washington D.C.: 0%
Portland, OR: 0%

Highlights From U.S. Investigation
Illegal bear products were found for sale in 6 of 8 U.S. cities examined: Boston, New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

Learn More, Donate
Animals Asia (I’m personally a member of Animals Asia-they are a wonderful group working to save moon bears-They have an office in San Fransisco, CA)

Sign the Petition to End Bear Farming
EndBearFarming.org

Photo Credit: www.sharonbowles.org.uk/pages/MoonBears.html

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With your help black bear cubs like this one won't end up being used for bear baying when they get older. Photo by Carl R. Sams II.

Have you heard of bear baying? It’s one of the most cruel methods of wildlife abuse I’ve ever seen. The good news is that you can help save black bears by simply filling out the online petition.

I’ve been working on spreading the word to help stop horrific bear baying, also called “bear baiting”, in Pakistan through the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) Bear Baiting program.

As I was working on this issue the other evening, I thought to myself how lucky we are to live in a country where this barbaric practice would never happen. Imagine my surprise and horror when I received an e-mail in my in-box this morning with the subject line: END THE BARBERIC PRACTICE OF BEAR BAYING IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

I was horrified and shocked to learn that this goes on in this day and age-in the United States!!!

I try to keep my posts non-political and on the positive side, but it’s not in my nature to ignore this issue, especially when I feel that you might be interested in taking action to help save black bears. I think that if we enjoy wildlife and nature we also owe it to these black bears to get involved and take action.

Take Action
1. Sign the Pledge to stop bear baiting (once on page, scroll down)

2. Please make a brief, polite phone call to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to at 803-734-3886 and ask them to (a) prohibit bear baying and (b) revoke the permits for people who torment bears so cruelly.

Learn More
I don’t want to go into the horrific details, but to learn more visit “Investigation Documents Cruelty of Bear Baiting: Only in South Carolina” and “Bear Baying: Chaining Animals For Sport“.

Bear baying is an inhumane practice that has been outlawed in every U.S. state except South Carolina and it’s time to stop it. Thank you for helping save black bears.

Update
Breaking news! “Senator To Offer Legislation To Ban Bear Baying After US Humane Society Releases Video“. Thank you South Carolina State Senator Joel Lourie!

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This is a heartwarming video and story about an abused European brown bear named Betsy, once used in circus acts, on her way to a new home.

According to the article, “No-cares bear: Betsy gets room to roam in Romania” in chron.com, for nine long years Betsy endured a hellish life in a 5-by-8-foot cage in a chicken coop. Unable to stand, fed only occasionally, tormented by fleas, Betsy had reached the low point of more than two decades in captivity.

Then Betsy, along with two tigers and 10 bears, were rescued by the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) after they were alerted by local sheriff’s officers.

The other animals have been placed in zoos or sanctuaries. Betsy is heading to the Zarnesti Bear Sanctuary, a 170-acre retreat in Romani.

Learn More
Read “Wildlife good news: Houston, we have a den for our bear“, in USA Today and “No-cares bear: Betsy gets room to roam in Romania” in chron.com.

Thank You
I’d like to personally extend a huge thank you to the Houston SPCA, the sheriff’s officers, and Peter Davies, former CEO of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), for saving Betsy, and to Continental Airlines for providing free airfare for Betsy and staffers.

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Jugnu, a male Asiatic black bear, by the pool in Kund Park, Pakistan.

We care about bears and feature them in our children’s books One Child, One Planet, A Pirate’s Quest, and in our wildlife gallery. I want to to let you know about a group I recently discovered that is helping bears.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals is helping bears and other wildlife in the United States and world-wide. They created a preserve called Kund Park to help rescued bears live a happy and safe life.

Check them out and learn more about them at their website. I think they are doing great work. If you like what they do, make a donation. I did.

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