Image courtesy: Animals Asia
From World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
A Wildlife Crime Hotline run by Vietnamese member society Education for Nature (ENV) is getting real results for bears. Tapping into public determination to stop the bear bile trade, tip offs have led to bears being removed from bear farms.
Radio, television and print advertising for the WSPA-funded hotline are clear: the bear bile trade is based on extreme cruelty and buying or selling products made from bears is illegal.
Most farmed bears are poached as cubs and held in tiny cages for the rest of their lives. The public can help prevent this by reporting any advertising they see for bear bile products to the hotline.
Although now banned in Vietnam, there have been reports of bile extraction from captive bears continuing. WSPA and ENV are working to help the authorities improve enforcement.
Watch advertisements for the hotline
(WARNING: these clips contain graphic images and sounds of bears in distress)
The Vietnamese government’s commitment to ending bear farming is the first stage in making this cruel trade part of the country’s history.
Alongside our member societies, WSPA is working with the authorities to offer expert advice and ensure that this important animal welfare goal is achieved.
For more information, visit Animals Asia