Nearly 200 bears are being raised for bile in Hanoi and 16 provinces and cities.

Representative of the Center for Education for Nature (ENV) shared at the event.

In 2005, after discovering about 4,000 bears being kept in captivity for bile extraction across the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development coordinated with the World Animal Protection Organization (WAP) to carry out a campaign to gradually eliminate this situation.

Right from the start, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Decision 02/2005/QD-BNN on the management of captive bears. Accordingly, all captive bears must be fitted with electronic chips for identification and management. Bears without registration and chips will be confiscated. The registration, management and chip-fitting of bears were completed in 2006.

The campaign to end bear bile farming also includes Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV), Animals Asia (AAF), Four Paws and Free the Bears. These organizations work together to rescue bears, support law enforcement agencies in handling bear violations, reduce demand for bear bile and encourage bear owners to voluntarily hand over their bears to rescue centers.

Mr. Luong Xuan Hong, Director of the Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Center, was recognized for his active contributions to bear protection.

After nearly 20 years of relentless efforts, the number of bears in captivity has decreased by 95% from about 4,000 individuals in 2005 to 192 individuals at 60 bear farms by the end of August 2024. Currently, 46/63 provinces and cities no longer have bears kept in captivity for bile extraction.

The Forest Protection Department and Sub-Departments of Forest Protection in provinces and cities across the country play an important role in gradually eliminating bear bile farming through registration, microchipping, regular monitoring of captive bears, and ensuring effective enforcement of laws on bear protection.

Some typical examples include the persistent efforts of Lam Dong Provincial Forest Protection Department staff in persuading bear owners to hand over their bears, making this province one of the first provinces and cities to no longer keep bears in captivity for bile extraction.

ENV representatives recommended that localities where bears are still kept in captivity continue to strengthen inspection and supervision of bear-keeping facilities, promptly detect and handle cases of illegal captivity and trade of bears, bear bile and products and bear parts.

Authorities need to make efforts to encourage the remaining bear owners to voluntarily hand over their bears to the State without “compensation”. Law enforcement agencies also need to promptly handle the illegal advertising and trading of bears, bear bile and other bear products and parts that are growing strongly on the internet, especially through social networks such as Facebook.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/gan-200-con-gau-dang-bi-nuoi-lay-mat-tai-ha-noi-va-16-tinh-thanh.html