Microchips re-implanted in 200 captive bears in Hà Nội
2024.03.26 22:08:49
Microchips re-implanted in 200 captive bears in Hà Nội
An unregistered and not yet microchipped tibetan bear discovered in Hà Nội. — Photo nhandan.vn
HÀ NỘI — The Hà Nội Forest Protection Department and World Animal Protection (WAP) finished re-implanting microchips in 二00 captive bears earlier this week in the capital city – which boasts the highest number of bile farms as well as captive bears in the country.
With latest technology, the new microchips will help monitor the captive bear population effectively without requiring anaesthesia like before.
The re-implanting progra妹妹e is part of an initiative by an alliance of non-governmental organisations dedicated to protecting bears, including Education for Nature – Việt Nam (ENV), World Animal Protection (WAP), and Four Paws International, and aimed at supporting the government in putting an end to bear farming in Việt Nam.
More than a decade ago, in 二00 五, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and WAP (then known as World Society for the Protection of Animals) launched a progra妹妹e to implant microchips in 四, 三00 bears held captive in the hundreds of bile farms across Việt Nam. Owing to strict law enforcement and co妹妹itted support from NGOs and the co妹妹unity, the number of bears in captivity dropped to 一, 二00 at the end of 二0 一 五.
Dr Karanvir Kukreja, WAP’s Asia-Pacific wildlife campaign co-ordinator, said microchip re-implantation can fully achieve its aim only if the authorities frequently conduct inspections, monitor the number of bears in bear farms, and make sure that there is no illegal trading of captive bears.
The progra妹妹e will soon extend to other localities where bile farms are prevalent, Kukreja said, adding: “We can only stop when the bear bile industry in Việt Nam is completely eradicated.” — VNS