KUALA LUMPUR — At least 2,800 bears in Asia were traded for their parts over the past decade, according to a report issued Thursday by an anti-wildlife trafficking group.
Twelve Asiatic black and Malayan sun bears were recovered from a private farm in Nakhon Nayok in December. They were handed over to the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department. An anti-wildlife trafficking group reported Thursday Thailand had 29 bear-related seizures in its more recent survey. (Bangkok Post photo)
The figure was arrived at after analyzing nearly 700 bear-related seizures, and it likely represents a fraction of the overall number of bears affected by the trade, said the Traffic report.
Bear-related seizures totalled 29 in Thailand. Other countries included Cambodia, 190; China, 145; Vietnam, 102; Russia, 59; Malaysia, 38; Laos, 29; and India, 23.
Cross-border trade of live bears and their parts and derivatives violates national laws throughout Asia, as well as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Bears are traded for many reasons, including to stock bile farms and as exotic pets or tourist attractions, the report said.
"Bears are also trafficked for their parts, meat, skins and trophies, while their gall bladders and bile are used to manufacture traditional medicines," it added.