The 4th International Symposium on Trade in Bear Parts in Nagano, Japan, 4 October 2006
The Fourth International Symposium on Trade in Bear Parts to be held in Nagano
-Asia Bear Trade-

Organized by TRAFFIC East Asia
Supported by IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist Group
　　　　　　　　 WWF Japan

July 2006

Most of Asia’s wild bear populations are threatened with extinction by a number of factors including habitat loss, conflict with human activities and trade in bear parts and products, although there is a lack of detailed information concerning their actual habitat situation. Bear parts, including bear paws and gall bladder, are traded for meat and medicine to supply markets in Asia and elsewhere, and bear gall bladder is particularly sought after, mainly for medicinal use in Asia.

TRAFFIC, with the support of the IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist Group and WWF Japan, is organizing the Fourth International Symposium on Trade in Bear Parts, which will take place in Karuizawa, Japan, on 4 October 2006.

The ultimate goals of the Symposium are to identify challenges and needs in bear conservation, review recent efforts and make recommendations for achievable actions. With an emphasis on conserving wild bears in Asia, this Fourth Symposium will provide a good platform for obtaining an update on the trade and use of bear bile in Asia and the enforcement of legal controls. The symposium is also an opportunity for deciding a priority area and action activities in an attempt to mitigate the influence of the bear gall bladder trade on wild bear populations, as well as for addressing proposals to various stakeholders.

The Symposium will coincide with the field-trip day of the Seventeenth International Conference on Bear Research and Management (the 17th IBA Conference) to be held in the same city, Karuizawa, Japan.

Contents of the Symposium

In Session 1, reports will be presented concerning the present situation faced by bears and the CITES enforcement situation. In Session 2, reports will be presented on the latest survey results concerning the trade and regulation situation in the countries exporting and consuming bear gall bladder. In Session 3, based on the reports presented in Session 1 and 2, discussions will take place as to whether available information indicates that the trade has an impact on wild bear populations. The symposium will also discuss the gaps between CITES and national laws, and what should be done in order to enhance law enforcement capability. Finally, in Session 4, recommendation will be made to governments, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry of what actions/measures be needed to ensure the continuing coexistence of wild bear populations and people.

Topics include:

-A global overview of the conservation status of bears

-Trade in bear and bear parts in Southeast Asia

-An analytical framework for assessing the relationship between wildlife farming and the conservation of wild populations

-Reports from countries exporting and consuming bear gall

A registration form is available from http://www.trafficj.org/kuma/symposium2006/
Please check the site for the latest information (available on-line from 1st of May 2006).

Enquiry: Akiko Ishihara (traffic@trafficj.org) tel: +81-3-3769-1716 fax:+81-3-3769-1304

This symposium is made possible with the kind support of Mampei Hotel.

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(Last updated: 4 July 2006）