Interview from 2012, Seoul: a casual discussion of some of the nuances and complexity of the bear farming problem South Korea faced and still grapples with despite a phase out being in motion.

Listen

As of 2017, the Korean gov’t, in partnership with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) sterilized nearly 100,000 bears in an attempt to stunt the potential of the bear bile trade, and began a DNA database to regulate farmed bears. However, farmed bears are likely to live out their lives in their cages – until they are slaughtered for their gallbladders. In some cases, farmers are finding new value in their livestock through “exhibition”, which is hardly a desirable alternative but it is preferable to a life spent in a dirty, cramped cage.

As an activist who has spent a decade lobbying against this horrific practice and who celebrated the 2012 IUCN resolution, I personally am disappointed in the plan of action that is underway in Korea. It was certainly understood that a CRS or gov’t funded “sanctuary” was an extraordinarily expensive, idealistic and somewhat unrealistic progression, but it now can be argued that humane euthanasia is possibly a kinder undertaking than what is currently happening in Korea. This is a grim, but not unreasonable outlook. Essentially, we must accept that a happy ending for the bears in captivity is not possible. With this understanding, the approach taken ought to be expedient and as we cannot salvage the “present”, we act with the future in mind.

Having worked closely with WSPA, I have observed their dedication to the best possible outcome for bears in captivity. I have regularly witnessed and often shared their frustration in as they attempted to encourage kinder actions in the face of stakeholder conflict and political opposition. I do respect that sterilization is commendable progress in a country that could easily have opted to perpetuate a trade they once initiated. Still, it thoroughly sickens me that 100,000 bears will suffer in unsanitary conditions and pain until they are slaughtered for what is truly a deplorable reason.

WSPA faces extremely complex obstacles – as do farmers to whom the trade was aggressively marketed, and Green Korea United (GKU), an NGO hindered by it’s need to remain in good standing with the political powers of Korea has worked – underfunded – to both document and improve conditions. These efforts and dilemmas are appreciated, but this is a far cry from the goal I had as an eager activist that began 10 years ago, hoping to see a sanctuary similar to that in Chengdu, which Animals Asia established.

We failed the bears of today, but hope to save those of tomorrow.

White paper, WSPA-GKU (detailed report on progress)