In Malaysia young sun bears are often captured and kept as pets in cages. Bear gall bladders are thought by many Asian cultures to have healing powers. Sun bear meat, especially roasted paw, is considered a delicacy.
Between habitat destruction and bears taken from the wild to satisfy the pet, restaurant and medical trades, the plight of the sun bear is horrific.
I found this article on the plight of Bears in Cambodia.
For a growing number of Taiwanese, South Koreans and wealthy entrepreneurs from Southern China. the major appeal of a Cambodian holiday is the availability of native wildlife. Most alluring of all is sun bear paw soup. It is common practice for paws of the sun bears to be cut off one at a time whilst the animal is still alive, and served in soup for between $US100 and $US200 each. Customers say the rush of adrenaline caused by the fear and pain of the bear makes the meat more tender. If all four paws were not removed, the wounds would be seared and the bear kept in pain until another paw is required. Sun bears have been rescued from restaurants with paws missing. Cambodians do not traditionally eat bear paw soup, but there is money in it ...it is something to sell. Bear cubs in Cambodia are snatched from their dens and smuggled to markets in North Asia or fattened in cages for the city restaurant trade. The number of Sun bears in the wild is declining and there is grave fear for its future survival.
If you would like to help put a stop to this cruel trade in Asian bear parts please contact:
Free the Bear Fund Inc
5 Laga Court
STIRLING WA 6121
AUSTRALIA
He who likes to sit high
The Bear Den
Western Australian community commended on efforts to save sun bears