Asiatic black bear  (Ursus thibetanus)

The Asiatic black bear has been hunted for centuries for its skin, paws and for the gall bladder, which is used in Oriental medicine (2). Recent deforestation across the Asian Continent is a major threat to the survival of the species (5). Habitat is cleared by logging practices, development and an encroaching human population. These bears may be regarded as a pest and consequently persecuted in some areas as they can destroy crops (5). In China, bears were taken from the wild to be kept in captivity as an important source of bile for medicine (5).

The Asiatic black bear is protected by law in all of the countries where it occurs, with the exception of Japan (2). It is also listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which bans international trade in this species (1). Law enforcement is extremely limited in much of its range and the control of poaching and smuggling is an important conservation priority (5). The protection of habitat is also vital to the survival of this species. The American black bear co-exists with its human neighbours fairly successfully (2), and education will play an important role if the same is going to happen for this bear.