DISCLAIMER: This post is not for the faint of heart
A human being killing another human being, fathers abandoning their families, hoodlums robbing homes and convenient stores, women selling their body for money, are just some of the many atrocities all over the world.
And in Korea the Asian Black Bears, more commonly referred to as the Moon Bear, are being tortured and forced into cages in order to produce traditional Chinese medicine alternatives. This alternative medicine just so happens to be bear bile, a digestive juice produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. The extraction of the bear bile consists of keeping the bears in cages, leaving them no room to move or grow, so that there is easier access to the abdomen where they are stuck with tubes to take the bile.
Life in these cages causes them to suffer from severe mental stress, stunted growth, hair loss, starvation, muscle mass loss, and most have their teeth and claws removed. Some bears are known to live like this for up to 20 years, and when the criminals who exploit these animals are done with them, they simply kill them to sell their meat and fur for money.
Although, these animals have a reputation for being aggressive and attacking humans without any provocation, this does not sanction the harm and maltreatment of these animals. It may be their nature to attack, just as a Tiger or Lion may, but to force them to produce something by way of torture, by endangering these species, is something that could never be acceptable.
There are many organizations working toward the rescue of the Moon Bears. One woman in particular, Jill Robinson, dedicates her life to this cause, trying to find a way to stop the use of this animal for the production of herbal medicine. Some say that it is not even proven the bile can even cure.
We must put an end to this abuse and stop the people who are doing this.
Please visit these sites to either learn more or donate if you feel compelled.
Acknowledging their lives is the first step towards saving them.