There are at least 1,000 Asiatic Black Bears in South Korea that are farmed for their bear bile. In China, there are a reported 12,000 bears that are farmed for their bile.
30 percent of South Korean tourists who visit China purchase bear bile products and bring it back to their home country. This act is a violation of international trade laws.
Source: John R. Platt, “Bear Bile Industry Reportedly Shrinking in South Korea, but Chinese Market Stays Strong,” Scientific American, Blog, July 24, 2012.
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