Fw: Quebec wildlife sting evidence of growing trade in bear parts

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" WSPACOMM " <wspa

" Animal Rights Canada " <ar-canada

Friday, 22 November, 2002 05:50

Quebec wildlife sting evidence of growing trade in bear parts

 

 

Quebec wildlife sting evidence of growing trade in bear parts

 

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is citing

yesterday's sting operation by Quebec wildlife officers as evidence of

the growing trade in bear parts. According to a press release issued

yesterday by Quebec's wildlife agency (Société de la faune et des

parcs), some 200 Quebec wildlife officers were involved in a massive

sting operation which has resulted in the dismantling of a network of

poachers involved in trafficking black bear gall bladders.

 

Says Patrick Tohill, WSPA spokesperson in Canada: " We applaud the

government of Quebec for their actions to stem this cruel and illegal

trade. The sad reality is that we are likely to see more such arrests in

future as the demand for bear medicines is growing. "

 

Bear gall bladders are in great demand by some users of traditional

Chinese medicine (TCM) and are prescribed for a variety of ailments

including liver disease and gallstones. The consumer trade in bear

products is growing at an alarming rate and is estimated to be worth

more than US $100 million dollars at average international prices. Bear

bile and bear gall are considered something of a cure-all by some users

of TCM. In China, they can be found in everything from hemorrhoid creams

to hair tonics and bear bile wine.

 

According to wildlife authorities, the gall bladders which weigh between

20 and 30 grams each, are worth between $5 and $8 per gram to poachers

when sold in the Quebec market. The gall bladders were said to be

destined for buyers in Canada, the U.S., South Korea, Vietnam, and

Thailand.

 

A WSPA investigation conducted in Autumn 2000 found that gall bladders,

illegal to posess or sell in most Canadian provinces, can be worth more

than CDN $1000 when sold in TCM shops in Toronto. Investigators found

four gall bladders for sale at three Toronto medicine shops. In some

Asian countries, galls are worth considerably more. In Japan, for

example, the selling price of gall ranges between JPY 8000 (CDN $107)/gm

to JPY 10,000 ($133)/gm. In other words, an average size gall bladder

weighing 25 grams would be worth between CDN $2675 and $3325.

 

The poaching of gall bladders in Canada is inextricably linked with the

illegal trade in bear bile medicines from China's infamous bear farms.

WSPA has found that bear bile medicines manufactured in China are

commonly available in many TCM shops across Canada despite the presence

of national and international laws which prohibit the trade.

 

Explains Tohill: " Believing it to be more potent, consumers of bear bile

medicines place a greater value on bear bile and bear gall obtained from

wild bears. As the market for bear products grows, so will the poaching

of bears in Canada and around the world. "

On China's farms, thousands of bears are confined to tiny cages

measuring 1m x 1m x 2m (about the size of a telephone booth) and

surgically mutilated to allow bile extraction. Each day, workers 'milk'

the bears by thrusting metal or plastic tubes into a hole in the bears'

sides. WSPA investigators report witnessing signs of severe distress in

bears during the milking process. Moaning and banging of heads against

cages was commonplace, and some bears were seen to chew at their own

paws.

 

A 1999 WSPA investigation into 11 of China's largest bear farms revealed

that these procedures are often carried out under horrendous conditions

by individuals with no veterinary training. Interviews with Chinese

specialists in bear farming techniques have revealed that mortality

rates are extremely high. For every two successful operations, two to

three bears die (50-60%) due to complications and infections. The

lifespan of bears in China's farms is hard to establish but is estimated

to be between five and ten years, as compared to 25 to 30 years in the

wild.

 

Bear farming in China began in the early 1980s. Proponents of bear

farming claim that the industry promotes species conservation because

captive breeding alleviates pressures on wild bear populations. On the

contrary, WSPA has found that the cheaper farmed bile has only expanded

the market for bear parts, putting a price on the head of every living

bear.

 

WSPA learned last week of a dramatic increase in the number of bears

being farmed for their bile in China. Chinese officials at last week's

meeting in Chile of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered

Species (CITES) admitted to WSPA that the number of bears being farmed

for their bile has increased by 28% in the last three years. A record

number of 9,000 bears are kept on fewer but bigger factory-style

farms.

 

Recognizing the detrimental effects the trade in bear products is having

on wild bear populations around the world, the Parties to CITES moved

last week to safeguard bears by maintaining a series of measures aimed

at stopping illegal trade. Countries such as Canada with wild

populations and/or where bear products are consumed will now have to

report to CITES on the action being taken to stop illegal trade.

 

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Photos and broadcast quality footage of bear farms and illegal bile and

gall products on sale in Canada available upon request. For interviews

and/or further information, contact:

 

Patrick Tohill, Communications Manager

communications