An unregistered and not yet microchipped tibetan bear discovered in Hanoi (Photo: nhandan.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi’sForest Protection Department and World Animal Protection (WAP) finishedre-implanting microchips in 200 captive bears earlier this week in the capitalcity – which boasts the highest number of bile farms as well as captive bearsin the country.
With latest technology, thenew microchips will help monitor the captive bear population effectivelywithout requiring anaesthesia like before.
The re-implanting programmeis part of an initiative by an alliance of non-governmental organisationsdedicated to protecting bears, including Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV),World Animal Protection (WAP), and Four Paws International, and aimed at supportingthe government in putting an end to bear farming in Vietnam.
More than a decade ago, in2005, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and WAP (thenknown as World Society for the Protection of Animals) launched a programme toimplant microchips in 4,300 bears held captive in the hundreds of bile farmsacross Vietnam. Owing to strict law enforcement and committed support from NGOsand the community, the number of bears in captivity dropped to 1,200 at the endof 2015.
Dr Karanvir Kukreja, WAP’sAsia-Pacific wildlife campaign coordinator, said microchip re-implantation canfully achieve its aim only if the authorities frequently conduct inspections,monitor the number of bears in bear farms, and make sure that there is noillegal trading of captive bears.
The programme will soonextend to other localities where bile farms are prevalent, Kukreja said,adding: “We can only stop when the bear bile industry in Vietnam is completelyeradicated.”-VNA
VNA
