China Bear Rescue
Support our One Million Signatures campaign to help rescue 7000 bears and end bear bile farming in China.
Zoos across Australia and New Zealand have launched a campaign seeking one million supporters to help rescue 7000 bears and put an end to bear bile farming in China.
Members of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquaria (ARAZPA) are hoping to garner support from the 14 million people who pass through their gates each year to encourage the Chinese Government to end bear bile farming.
ARAZPA President and Perth Zoo Chief Executive, Susan Hunt, who launched the One Million Signatures campaign in Perth on 2 August 2007, said zoos and aquariums had joined forces to support the China Bear Rescue program run by Hong Kong based animal welfare charity, Animals Asia Foundation (AAF).
“Animals Asia Foundation is working with the Chinese Government on the eventual phasing out of bear bile farming and has welcomed our support in encouraging China to end the practice of farming Asiatic Black Bears to harvest their bile for traditional Chinese medicine.
“To date, the Chinese Government has closed more than 40 bear farms and released 219 bears from these farms into the care of the Animals Asia rescue centre in Sichuan.
“However, more than 7000 bears remain on farms. These bears, also known as Moon Bears, live in appalling conditions in tiny cages so that bile can be extracted from their gall bladder through a crude catheter or permanently open wound in the abdomen.
“The aim of our campaign is to raise awareness of bear bile farming and collect one million signatures for a 
communiqué applauding the Chinese Government’s progress to date in releasing 219 bears and urging the complete phasing out of bear bile farming.
“We believe that, collectively, our staff and our visitors can have a huge impact by placing a spotlight on the horrific living conditions of these bears and encouraging an end to this practice.
“The oldest bear rescued to date had spent 23 years confined in a cage so small it could not turn over. After intensive veterinary treatment to tend their wounds, many of the rescued bears 
had to be taught to use their limbs.
“I urge our visitors and members of the public to sign the communiqué to help rescue these bears and place them in sanctuaries set up by Animals Asia Foundation.”
Bear bile is used in traditional medicine to treat heat-related illnesses but today’s experts in traditional medicine have found that modern drugs, as well as natural herbal treatments, provide effective alternatives.
“Working with Animals Asia Foundation and the Chinese Government, the complete phasing out of farming of bears for bile is a real possibility,” Ms Hunt said.
To add your signature, visit the ARAZPA website at www.arazpa.org.au, or sign on at your local zoo, or print the signature form from this website.
Pictures courtesy of Animals Asia Foundation.