6 Biggest Threats to Bears around the World According to the World Society for the Protection of Animals, the biggest threats to bears are habitat destruction, trade in bear parts, bear baiting, dancing bears, hunting, zoos and circuses.

Alaska starts grizzly bear hunts - New For the first time since Alaska became a state, hunters are allowed to use bait to hunt grizzlies. 81 of 135 in area are targeted.

Bear Baiting in Pakistan The World Society for the Protection of Animals has uncovered new evidence of bear baiting in Pakistan. Although illegal, Pakistan authorities are ignoring bear baiting events. In 2003, 20 bear baiting events occurred. The WSPA urges the world to pressure the Pakistan government into taking actions against these cruel events.

Bear Dancing In Asia, bears are taken from the wild and made to perform tricks for entertainment. The World Society for the Protection of Animals wants governments to enforce stricter laws and has set up rescue centers for these bears in 6 countries.

Bear Farming in Asia (Animals Asia Foundation) Bear farming has been occurring for thousands of years. Bears, especially the Asiatic black bear, are farmed for their bile, which is used in traditional medicine. Synthetics and herbal alternatives that are cheaper, more effective and readily available currently exist, eliminating the need for bear bile. Unfortunately, bear farming still exists. Bears are often kept in cruel conditions with a tube stuck inside their body to collect the bile.

Bear Farming in Asia (International Fund for Animal Welfare) Bear farming has been occurring for thousands of years. Bears, especially the Asiatic black bear, are farmed for their bile, which is used in traditional medicine. Synthetics and herbal alternatives that are cheaper, more effective and readily available currently exist, eliminating the need for bear bile. Unfortunately, bear farming still exists. Bears are often kept in cruel conditions with a tube stuck inside their body to collect the bile.

Bear Farming in Asia (World Society for the Protection of Animals) Bear farming has been occurring for thousands of years. Bears, especially the Asiatic black bear, are farmed for their bile, which is used in traditional medicine. Synthetics and herbal alternatives that are cheaper, more effective and readily available currently exist, eliminating the need for bear bile. Unfortunately, bear farming still exists. Bears are often kept in cruel conditions with a tube stuck inside their body to collect the bile.

Closure of Japanese bear park After a campaign by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and a Japanese group All Life in a Viable Environment, a Japanese bear park will close this year. The bears at the park live in inhumane conditions. While great news, other bear parks remain in Japan. Hopefully, the closing of this park will encourage other bear parks to close.

Grizzly killers receive minimal penalties People illegally kill grizzly bears each year. One case involves a convicted felon who shot two bear cubs in Montana and simply received a $3,000 fine. The latest case is a grizzly found dead with a bullet in his head and his paws cut off. If people know information about bear killings, they need to tell the proper authorities the criminals who kill them can be prosecuted. However, penalties for killing grizzlies need to be stricter to prevent more grizzlies from being killed.

Hudson Bay’s polar bears In Canada’s Hudson Bay, polar bears are losing weight and giving birth to fewer cubs. Scientists say climate changes are affecting the bears.

Mascots at Baylor University Baylor University in Texas has the bear for its mascot and keeps live bears in “The Pit” in the center of campus. According to Baylor’s website, the bears “attend several Baylor athletic events, schools, community centers, churches, and any other educational outreach.” These events are not quiet and bears do not like to be in loud situations. Why can’t the university use a teddy bear or a person in a bear costume? Why does the university need to parade around these live bears purely for entertainment? Baylor claims they are a Christian school – wouldn’t you think Christians would have more respect for these bears?

Poachers kill bears in the US to ship their parts to foreign countries People are illegally killing bears to sell their body parts to foreign countries. This has occurred in Eastern, Mid-Atlantic and Western states. In January 2004, an operation in Virginia announced 500 state violations and 200 federal violations.