World Animal Protection Honoured for Efforts To End Bear Bile Farming in Vietnam

At the recent "Ending Bear Farming in Vietnam: The Road to Victory" press conference, hosted by Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV), World Animal Protection was honoured for its crucial role in helping to bring this cruel practice to an end.

Nearly Two Decades of Progress in Vietnam

Since 2005, World Animal Protection has been working to end bear bile farming in Vietnam. Partnering with Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), we helped launch a pioneering initiative aimed at phasing out this inhumane practice.

One of the landmark actions was the registration and microchipping of all captive bears, ensuring that unregistered animals would be confiscated, putting a stop to illegal trade and the cruel exploitation of these magnificent creatures.

Collective efforts and victory

Our efforts are complimented by NGOs like ENV, Animals Asia Foundation (AAF), Four Paws, and Free The Bears, which focus on rescuing bears, supporting law enforcement agencies to address bear crime, reducing bear bile consumption, and encouraging bear owners to voluntarily transfer their bears to rescue centres.

Today, we are proud to share that, the number of bears held on bile farms has dropped by a staggering 95%. In 2005, there were around 4,000 bears suffering on these farms. As of September 2024, only 190 bears remain on farms accross the country. This is not just a victory for the bears—it is a victory for everyone who has worked so tirelessly to protect them. We want to see every bear in Vietnam rescued and moved to a sanctuary to live the rest of their lives free from cruelty, and pain and suffering.

The Final Challenge: Ending Bear Bile Farming in Hanoi

While we celebrate these remarkable achievements, our work is not yet done. Hanoi remains the last stronghold for bear bile farming in Vietnam, with nearly half of the country’s remaining bile bears still kept on farms in the city.

World Animal Protection continues to push for urgent action, calling on local authorities to step up their efforts, confiscate illegally kept bears, and bring an end to this cruel industry once and for all.

We remain fully committed to ensuring that the remaining 190 bears are freed and transferred to rescue centres, where they can live in peace.

To our supporters—thank you

This incredible progress is something we have achieved together. Your donations, petitions, and advocacy have made this moment possible. Every step forward has been fuelled by your passion and belief in a world where no bear suffers for bile extraction ever again.

With your continued support, we will ensure that every last bear is freed from captivity and that bear bile farming becomes a dark chapter of history.