Quang Ninh: Tens of bears discovered without microchips
Source: Nong thon ngay nay
Issue: 233
Date: 28 September 2007
According to information released by the FPD, an interdisciplinary force including representatives from the FPD (part of MARD) and the Environmental Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) commenced comprehensive inspections of sites at which bears and being kept and farmed in Quang Ninh from September 26.
On September 27, more than 60 interdisciplinary officers made surprise inspections of six restaurants and farms in Yen Hung district and Ha Long city and discovered 280 bears. According to initial reports, these bears originated in Hanoi, Ha Tay, and Hai Phong and are being farmed for the purpose of bile bear extraction and butchering for specialty restaurants. At present, the FPD is anaesthetizing the bears one by one to determine the ones are microchipped, but it will take three to five more days before the final results are available.
However, according to current information from the FPD, so far 20 bears without chips have been identified at Gom House Natural Travel Center (Halong city). In addition, up to 13 unchipped bears were discovered during inspections of 61 bears at Ha Long Bear restaurants in Ha Khau ward.
Le Han
Translated by Tran Thi Nguyet; edited by Laura Whitford on 3rd March 2008
Please note: Translated by Education for Nature - Vietnam. This translation is unofficial in nature. The Vietnamese language version of this story can be obtained by contacting ENV