Seven moon bears freed from bile-farming operation in Vietnam as crackdown on trade tightens
Animals found in poor health after being trapped in cages and 'milked'
Freed from captivity in tiny metal cages, seven long-suffering Asiatic moon bears have been rescued on bile farms in northern Vietnam, as efforts to end the illegal trade are boosted.
Bear bile farming is banned but it is legal to raise the animals as pets - a loophole used by illicit Vietnamese farms to feed a regional demand for the digestive fluid, which is believed to possess healing properties in traditional Chinese medicine.
The bears were rescued from coastal Quang Ninh province earlier this week and were in extremely poor health with missing or maimed limbs after being confined in the small cages where, according to Animals Asia, they were likely milked for bile.
The moon bears, so named for the distinctive yellow crescent-shaped mark on their chests, have since been transferred to the charity's sanctuary in another province.
"This week will see Quang Ninh province come very close to being bear bile farm free," Animals Asia Vietnam director Tuan Bendixsen said, adding the group aims to rescue seven more bears in the coming days.
"We will keep on fighting and campaigning until every last captive bear suffering in the province has been moved to our sanctuary," Bendixsen said.