Save the Moon Bears Campaign
Moon Bear Jasper in his cage with Animal Asia Foundation helper Jill, when he was rescued
Sharon Bowles is calling for an end to one of the most cruel treatments of animals known to take place anywhere in the world.
As many as 9,000 bears in China are kept in tiny cages that prevent their movement to be 'milked' for their bile using metal catheters inserted into the animal's gall bladder.
Known as 'Moon Bears' for the golden crescent across their chests these endangered bears are subjected to a lifetime of misery.
Half the animals are said to die during or shortly after the insertion of the catheter. Those that survive suffer from tumours, infections from open wounds, abscesses and hernias.
The bile taken from the gall bladders of the living bears is used in Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of ailments including stomach and digestive disorders and kidney problems.
Jasper the Moon Bear as he is today
European Action
Sharon has backed calls in the European Parliament for the Chinese government to bring about a complete ban on bear bile farming. Pressure on the country's leaders to end the cruel practice grew with the Beijing Olympics in 2008 but sadly it continues.
Sharon said: "This is a truly vile practice. What the bears suffer is nothing less than torture and it must be brought to an end."
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) say that there is no need for bear bile as there are perfectly adequate synthetic alternatives which contain the active ingredient found in bile.
Trade in bear bile is highly profitable with customers paying as much as $20 per gram on the international market. Even conservative estimates say the annual production of bear bile from China alone is worth $100 million.
Life expectancy of the caged bears is 10 years, just a third of their natural life span in the wild.
Sharon has worked with the charities Animals Asia and WSPA in her efforts to end the suffering of these bears.
Many people have contacted Sharon to ask if they can donate money to help rescue these beautiful bears. If you would like to make a donation to a charity that rescues Moon Bears, we recommend the Animals Asia Foundation. Please make cheques payable to Animals Asia Foundation and send them to:
AAF, PO BOX 835, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 9AX
Sites to visit for more information
Animals Asia Foundation - www.animalsasia.org
World Society for the Protection of Animals - www.wspa.org.uk