Singapore part of key international route for illegal bear products: Report

Paul Lim Today Online 21 Aug 14;

SINGAPORE — According to a report by an international group monitoring wildlife trade, Singapore is part of a key international trade route for bear bile products and has a well-developed domestic market.

In its report released today (Aug 21), Traffic examined 694 cases of seizures of bears and bear products between 2000 and 2011 from 17 Asian countries or territories. Singapore accounted for 3 per cent or 23 of the seizures.

During that period, at least 2800 bears were traded, with the majority of seizures involving Cambodia (27 per cent), China (21 per cent) and Vietnam (15 per cent).

The report said the high demand for medicines containing bear bile could have driven the trade in Asia. Bears are commonly traded for its meat and skins, or for making traditional medicines with their gall bladders and bile.

“The number of seizures are a credit to the enforcement agencies, but they undoubtedly only stop a fraction of the overall trafficking because bear products are still widely and easily available across Asia,” said Dr Chris R Shepherd, regional director of Traffic in South-east Asia.

The report recommends that CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) authorities and parties to the Convention take appropriate steps to assist countries in addressing the issue and to close illegal bear farms.

In its research methods, the researchers sent formal requests for bear seizures to relevant CITES Management Authorities in 22 Asian countries or territories. Data on seizures were also obtained from other sources, including seizure records from Traffic and various NGOs.

Responding to TODAY’s queries, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority said it was aware of Traffic’s report and was studying it. Adding that most species of bears are highly endangered and protected under CITES, the authority said trade in bear and their bile products for primarily commercial purposes is generally prohibited.

Singapore on 'key trade route for bear bile'
David Ee The Straits Times AsiaOne 24 Aug 14;

SINGAPORE is part of a long-established trade route for illegal bear bile products and "sustains a well-developed" domestic market for them, a new report claims.

Traffic, an international group that monitors illegal wildlife trade, analysed 694 officially reported seizures of bears and bear products from 2000 to 2011 in 17 Asian countries.

Singapore accounted for just 3 per cent, or 23, of these cases. The main culprits were Cambodia, China, Vietnam and Russia.

However, the report noted, the seizures reported here had occurred "consistently" - in seven of the 12 years studied - indicating that there is "a continual trade route for processed bear products".

The report showed that at least 2,801 individual bears were traded within Asia for their parts and products between 2000 and 2011.

Bear bile is taken from the gall bladders of bears held captive at illegal "bear farms" in Asia. It is used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicines, to treat ailments such as epilepsy and fever.

Bears are also trafficked for their meat, skin and paws, and as trophies.

This trade violates international conservation laws as it targets endangered Asian black bears and sun bears. Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), which Singapore has signed, trade in bears and their parts and products is prohibited.

Dr Chris Shepherd, Traffic's regional director for South-east Asia, said: "The number of seizures is a credit to enforcement agencies, but they undoubtedly stop only a fraction of the overall trafficking as bear products are still widely and easily available across Asia."

Apart from tougher law enforcement, the report urged Singapore and other Asian nations to find ways to reduce the consumption of bear bile in traditional medicines, through education, and to carry out research into possible substitutes.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) told The Straits Times that it regularly monitors shops and online sources for illegal wildlife products, and carries out surprise checks on shops. AVA also distributes advisories to educate retailers about Cites and its requirements.