In India, China and Nepal there is a major trade in bears for their bile, despite repressive laws. One Voice is working alongside the anti-poaching cell which operates everywhere in the country to stop poaching and « guarantee the future for the wild fauna in India’s forests ».
The bear family in India features one of the most highly protected species on the planet, the Lip bear (or honey bear, protected by the Washington convention), a species endemic to India. This species is highly protected and cannot be captured, killed or sold. Yet these bears are still captured, sold and most often killed for their bile.
A destructive trade
Highly sought-after in China for its medicinal or well-being uses, bear bile supplies a trade that is as destructive for fauna as it is profitable for those involved in it. Captured cubs are sold for around €180, which is six times the average Indian salary.
Most often bears are sold to an intermediary who takes charge of sending them to the markets in South East Asia or sells them to private dealers or foreign buyers. The cubs are captured in the forest between December and March. Often the poachers kill the females to take their young.
Dismantling the trafficker networks
In addition to repressive and dissuasive laws, an anti-poaching cell – “Forest Watch”- created by One Voice which funds its logistics (salaries for 19 staff, vehicles, technical equipment, etc.), has been set up. Its mission is to protect wild animals and guarantee "the future for the wild fauna in India’s forests".
Recently the cell dismantled a major gall bladder trafficking network in the highest region in India.“ This network involved individuals from border communities working closely with local farmers who capture and kill black bears and sometimes lip bears.
Saving bears and giving them their lives back
In addition to working with the anti-poaching cell, One Voice also covers the care and feeding of cubs taken from traffickers. These cubs are placed in shelters (the first as opened in 2002) where they can start to live again. As in France, One Voice also works to rescue bears, notably in association with the Wildlife SOS NGO.
Providing lasting protection for bears
Apart from their bile, bears are also captured in India to turn them into dancing bears. One Voice is combating this ancestral tradition of the Kalandar tribe, especially as once the bear is no longer fit to dance it is sold for its bile. Co-operation with the Indian government is enabling us to end the trade and trafficking of entire networks. This is how the long-term protection of these bears can be guaranteed.
Guaranteeing the future of the wild fauna in India’s forests.
