THE illegal sale of bear products is still widespread despite tighter regulations covering the trade, according to a survey by two animal rights groups.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and EarthCare sent a researcher to 50 Chinese medicine shops across the territory for the survey.
And in 21 of them - 42 per cent - illegal bear products, including bile, bile crystals and medicines containing gall bladder extracts were found. Whole gall bladders were being sold in 30 per cent of them.
The bear parts are used as traditional cures for ailments like liver problems, heart trouble and colds.
Earlier this year, the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) brought in a stringent new system of regulation for traders dealing in bear products.
The move aimed to limit supplies and required traders to get a licence from the AFD.