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Project year: 2025

Bear bile has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) due to its high concentration of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its potential effectiveness in treating inflammatory conditions and liver diseases. Historically, bile was obtained from wild bears, but due to an unstable supply and growing demand, techniques were developed in the late 20th century to extract bile from live bears. This eventually led to the rise of the bear bile industry in various parts of Asia, including South Korea.

In South Korea, the commercial bear bile industry was promoted by the government starting in 1981, with hundreds of bears imported to expand captive populations. Despite increasing international criticism, the industry flourished throughout the 1990s. Over time, however, awareness campaigns by NGOs and policy reforms led to a gradual decline in the number of bear bile farms and captive bears. By 2022, there were still 322 bears in captivity in South Korea. In January 2022, the Ministry of Environment formally signed an agreement to end the bear bile industry and establish rescue facilities for captive bears.

As of January 1, 2026, the bear bile industry and bile extraction from bears are officially banned. Since then, the South Korean government has invested in rescue facilities, such as the Gurye Bear Rescue Center (for 49 bears) and a planned facility in Seocheon (for 70 bears). However, even with two major rescue centers, it remains extremely difficult to accommodate all the remaining bile bears in South Korea. As of early 2026, nearly 200 bears are still on farms, demonstrating that domestic capacity is insufficient.

For this reason, international rehoming is being considered as part of a broader long-term strategy. While relocating some bears to other countries does not solve the entire problem, it is an essential and practical step to reduce the number of bears in bile farms and promote international cooperation on animal welfare.

For this purpose, Koen Cuyten of Bears in Mind and Prof. DH Jeong of Chungbuk National University in South Korea held a discussion during the IBA Bear Conference in Canada in 2024 about the capacity issues for bile bears in Korea and possible international rehoming options. During this discussion, an initial plan was developed to provide a safe and long-term home for a group of South Korean bile bears in various European countries.

In March 2025, the Bears in Mind team, Prof. DH Jeong, and a delegation from the Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA) and Dyrenes Beskyttelse (Danish Animal Protection) held a meeting at Knuthenborg Safaripark in Denmark. At this meeting, technical, logistical, and welfare-related challenges were discussed regarding the potential rehoming of a group of 6 to 8 Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) from South Korea, once the ban on keeping bears in farms for their bile came into effect in 2026.

In November 2025, the same coalition—including representatives from Bears in Mind, Knuthenborg Safaripark, Dyrenes Beskyttelse, Prof. DH Jeong, and KAWA—convened again in Seoul to take concrete preparatory steps for the export of six bile bears. During this visit, the group conducted a joint visit to the largest bile bear farm in Dangjin, where nearly 100 bears were living in extremely poor conditions. The coalition also witnessed the rescue of two bears from another farm by the Korea National Park Service. These rescued animals were subsequently transferred to the government-managed rescue facility in Gurye.

Following these visits, the development of a new large bear enclosure in Denmark was significantly accelerated. Bears in Mind continued coordination with Danish partners regarding transport preparations and advice on facility construction, while Prof. DH Jeong and KAWA supported discussions on identifying suitable bears for rehoming. At the same time, preparations were underway with a specialized international air freight carrier to ensure safe and animal-friendly transport conditions.

Over many years, countless individuals and organizations have demonstrated their commitment to solving the issue of captive bears in Korea, and their work continues to this day. We sincerely appreciate their unwavering dedication and hope that all “bile bears” will soon be able to lead a more peaceful and comfortable life—and simply be bears again.

Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) rely on dens for reproduction, cub-rearing and shelter. Yet their denning ecology remains poorly studied, particularly in Gujarat – India. This new project by the WCB Research Lab and funded by Bears in Mind since 2025, aims to investigate sloth bear den site selection in northern Gujarat, encompassing both protected areas Jessore and Balaram-Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS) and human-disturbed forests (Polo Forest and surrounding areas of sanctuaries).

By examining habitat characteristics, terrain features, and human disturbances, this study will identify key factors influencing den selection. Data collection will include field surveys, sign identification and camera trapping to confirm den usage. Environmental parameters such as slope, aspect, vegetation type, and forest cover will be recorded, along with spatial proximity to water sources, roads, and settlements. Mapping and statistical analyses, including Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM), will be used to evaluate habitat suitability.

The findings will contribute to conservation planning by identifying critical denning habitats and assessing risks posed by human activities. This research will provide science-based recommendations for habitat management and conflict mitigation, supporting long-term conservation efforts for sloth bears in Gujarat.

The sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) inhabits the lowland tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, where its secretive nature and difficult terrain hinder population monitoring. Despite recent research, their conservation status remains uncertain due to the lack of systematic population monitoring efforts. Sun bears are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and their populations are increasingly fragmented due to deforestation and poaching.

Traditional monitoring methods like camera trapping and noninvasive genetic sampling face limitations in tropical environments. However, the team at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) implemented innovative techniques such as invertebrate-derived DNA (iDNA) sampling using leeches and dung beetles in our previous research at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre demonstrating the successful recovery of sun bear DNA and identification of individuals via these invertebrates, rendering it useful for monitoring sun bear populations in wild. Encouraged by these results, researchers aim to expand this approach through a field trial at Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Malaysia, combining iDNA with other methods like camera trapping, and sign surveys to improve population estimates. Integrating spatial capture-recapture (SCR) with occupancy estimates will enhance the precision of population assessments, enabling more robust estimates to track sun bear population trajectories and conservation planning.

Bears in Mind funds this research project since 2025.

All species of bears are threatened by illegal trade for their parts, used as trophies, for consumption and for use in traditional medicines. The experts at Monitor Conservation Research Society (Monitor) have carried out research and enforcement support to counter the illegal trade in bears, especially, but not limited to, Asia, over the past few decades. One of the greatest obstacles in countering the illegal international trade in bear parts and derivatives is the lack of effective use of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). With 185 members, CITES is the world’s leading convention in place to regulate and control the international trade in wildlife – including all eight species of bears. Conf. 10.8 (Rev. CoP14) in 2007, noted that

“the continued illegal trade in parts and derivatives of bear species undermines the effectiveness of the Convention and that if CITES Parties and States not-party do not take action to eliminate such trade, poaching may cause declines of wild bears that could lead to the extirpation of certain populations or even species”

and recognised that

“long-term solutions for the protection and conservation of bears require the adoption of substantive and measurable actions.” It further urged parties to carry out a number of actions and recommended that Parties “review and strengthen measures, where necessary, to enforce the provisions of the Convention relating to specimens of species included in Appendices I and II, where bear parts and derivatives are concerned and further that Parties and States not-party, as a matter of urgency, address the issue of illegal trade in bear parts and derivatives.”

Monitor has found that at least some Parties to the Convention involved in illegal and/or unsustainable trade in bear parts and derivatives have not taken significant actions to address this problem or to follow up on the recommendations of Conf. 10.8 (Rev. CoP14). There has been no systematic review of the actions taken by Parties on this matter and therefore no accountability. The team has secured funds from Bears in Mind to allow them, working with partners, to investigate this issue and to carry out a review of actions prior to the coming Conference of the Parties of CITES, which will be held in Uzbekistan in November 2025.

We believe that the effective implementation of Conf. 10.8 (Rev. CoP14), and the continued monitoring of progress on this issue is absolutely essential to making CITES an effective tool for bear conservation and that the lack of implementation not only undermines the Convention but also undermines efforts and opportunities to ensure international illegal and unsustainable trade is not a threat the conservation of bears.

The Sloth bear population is declining across their distribution range due to habitat degradation, habitat loss, and facing conflicts with humans. These threats are expected to accelerate with increasing urbanization and demand for natural resources. Over the past decade, human interference in their habitats has led to a rise in Human-Sloth bear conflict in India.

Community outreach program

Rajasthan, the largest state in India, has limited scientific data on Sloth bears. Existing studies focus mainly on distribution, diet within a single protected area, and local perceptions of the species. These studies highlight the urgent need for further research due to increasing poaching and habitat degradation. This study by the Centre of Excellence for Wildlife and Conservation Studies (CWCS) Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta (BKNM) University, supported by Bears in Mind since 2024, aims to investigate occupancy, genetic variability, and population structure across southern Rajasthan in the known distribution range of Sloth bear with an aim to identify local, landscape and genetic data and also contribute to the IUCN Bear Specialist Group’s project on Asian bears range mapping.

Preliminary findings at the end of 2025 already indicate forest-dependent occupancy patterns and highlight important habitat corridors, requiring conservation attention.

Andean bear conservation can be strengthened by transmitting ecological knowledge that challenges
preconceived negative, and often baseless or misleading notions about the bears. In rural communities children are key actors to receive and share this knowledge. They can bring home new perceptions about Andean bears and influence their families to change their negative, if present, attitudes towards bears. These perceptions are presented and developed in an educational space in rural schools where the Andean bear becomes the main study subject for a group of children. They can learn most of the bear’s nature through creative and playful activities based on records and ecological data obtained in their local area.

This project by Fundacion Humedales, supported by Bears in Mind since 2024, aims to implement Andean Bear schools in four communities close to Mamapacha mountain range, a protected area important for bear conservation in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. As in other places where people are in close contact with bear populations, coexistence can be conflictive. The main goal of the project is to disseminate actual knowledge about the nature and ecology of the Andean bear to children of Mamapacha rural communities and in doing so to reach the adult population and give new perspectives for them to manage the human-bear conflict.

Board game ‘La Senda del Oso’ (The Bear’s Trail) designed for the children in the schools

Or in Spanish: Subiendo Montañas por el Oso Andino! Is an exciting new multifaceted project aimed at achieving two main goals.

  • The initiative includes the challenge of climbing 12 significant mountains across Ecuador, symbolizing a commitment to conservation efforts.
  • Alongside this, the project will establish the School Park “Getting to know the Andean Bear” in surrounding communities, creating an educational and recreational space dedicated to the Andean Bear.

Additionally, an ‘Environmental Communication program’ will be launched to engage and educate local communities about the importance of conserving the Andean Bear and its high-altitude páramo habitat. Alongside this program, merchandising will be produced to maintain the sustainability of this initiative.

The project will also encourage public participation by inviting individuals to climb the mountains alongside Andean Bear researcher Santiago Molina. Participants will contribute financially and receive a project-branded T-shirt or thermos as part of their contribution.

By combining personal adventure with community-focused conservation education, the project aims to foster a deeper appreciation for wildlife protection and promote sustainable environmental stewardship in the region. Bears in Mind financially supports this adventurous project since 2024.

Across the Western Himalayas, Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) and Himalayan Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus), live in proximity with people. These people, many of whom are from various indigenous and tribal groups, are primarily either transhumant pastoralist (eg. the Bakerwals and Gaddis) or agriculturalist (primarily horticulturalists cultivating fruit like apples). This proximity of bears with people is increasingly being augmented by climate change which is altering cropping patterns and habitat loss. This is leading to increased negative human-bear interactions which include, but aren’t limited to, increased raiding of crops by bears and depredation of livestock. Most of which is met with retaliatory killing of bears. If the financial impacts of livelihood loss by bears isn’t adequately mitigated, the illegal retaliatory killing of bears can also lead to engagement in illegal trade of bear parts.

Besides this, direct poaching of bears for their gall bladder is a huge conservation challenge, but often under the shadow of welfare and bear-human conflict issues. All of these conservation threats to bears are spatially explicit, hence in collaboration with Dr. Hinsley, the team aims to identify spatially-explicit priorities for bear conservation across the Western Indian Himalayas.

Based on this baseline information, the team also aims to operationalize a local champions network in one region to actively work towards human-bear conservation interventions to ensure bear conservation while protecting people’s livelihoods.

Bears in Mind supports the project since 2024.

The TusnadEcoBear concept, initiated in 2022 in Băile Tușnad, Romania, promotes human-bear coexistence through communication, education, engagement and cooperation. These pillars include the Watch app for bear sightings, the Cave visitor center, the Fest educational festival, and the Conf scientific conference. With proven success, the goal is to expand the project to surrounding communities and establish Bear Smart communities through ongoing collaboration.

Rural stakeholders in the town of Băile Tușnad and surrounding ecotourism destinations are not fully engaged in human-bear coexistence practices, which are crucial for species conservation and conflict reduction. This project, supported by Bears in Mind since 2025, seeks to raise awareness and broaden its impact by addressing specific challenges that current methods or laws overlook, creating collaboration opportunities, and enhancing bear conservation education in local schools.

UPDATE!

The 4th TusnadEcoBear Conference, held in October 2025 in Romania, brought together experts from 17 countries to share knowledge on human–large carnivore coexistence, with a focus on European brown bears. Participants discussed practical approaches to mitigating conflicts in human-dominated landscapes, examined effective and ineffective management practices, and emphasized the importance of preparing for emerging challenges such as climate change. The conference reaffirmed its value as a unique platform that links scientific research, practical field experience, and community involvement, highlighting how local action supported by international cooperation can advance bear conservation.

Following the conference, the Tusnad Eco Bear Fest offered a two-day educational festival centered on the same theme, primarily aimed at schoolchildren. Activities included felting, woodworking, interactive science experiments, microscope observations, team-building games, and safe laser target shooting, all designed to deepen understanding of bear behavior, ecological roles, and opportunities for peaceful coexistence.

Only about 17% of the estimated 17,000 km2 of Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) habitat in Nepal is effectively protected. The unprotected Sloth bear populations are largely confined to the forests of the Churia hills. In the eastern part of the Churia range lies the Trijuga forest which was once a stronghold for Sloth bears, but now faces unprecedented threats.

The team of WILD CARE (Wildlife Conservation and Research Endeavour Nepal) has gained extensive knowledge over the past three years in this area, and it revealed high levels of human disturbance, resulting in low bear density, patchy distribution, and intense conflicts, pushing bears to the brink of local extinction. Having obtained baseline data, the challenge now is improving locals’ awareness, perceptions and ability to coexist harmoniously with sloth bears and foster support for conservation.

This project, supported by Bears in Mind since 2024, is developed to address this challenge through (i) extensive awareness campaigns in local communities and schools, (ii) sensitization of local-level decision makers to include the needs of Sloth bears in forest use/management guidelines, and (iii) empowerment of community forest members on Sloth bear monitoring. By bridging the gap between scientific research and community engagement, the project offers hope for the long-term survival of Sloth bears in this critical habitat.