A bear in captivity has only one hind leg remaining after losing the other three. These injuries, often caused by bites from neighboring bears during their birth year, leave permanent scars on farmed bears. Courtesy of Project Moon Bear

Bear farming will be fully prohibited in Korea starting today, and euthanasia of bears for reasons such as illness or bile extraction must now be conducted under the supervision of a veterinarian, the government said Friday.

Additionally, feeding feral pigeons and other animals considered pests is banned, with violators facing fines.

The Ministry of Environment announced that revisions to the Wildlife Protection and Management Act would come into effect, implementing these new regulations.

Under the revised law, bear farming for any purpose, including bile extraction, is banned. Existing farmed bears can only be kept at designated facilities such as conservation institutions, bear protection centers, biological resource facilities or zoos. Current bear farms must comply by the end of the year.

Farms are also required to report any bear escape or related safety incidents immediately and take necessary measures to address them.

Humane euthanasia of farmed bears is permitted only under strict conditions, such as illness causing severe suffering or the risk of disease transmission to other animals. Violations will result in fines ranging from 1 million won ($750) for a first offense to 2 million won for a third offense.

Previously, bears were often slaughtered inhumanely, sometimes while conscious, using muscle relaxants or by suffocation.

The government and local authorities can entrust bear protection facilities to organizations such as the National Park Service or the National Institute of Ecology. Private operators must meet facility and staffing requirements and register with the ministry.

Critics argue that penalties for bear farming violations are disproportionately lenient compared to other animal protection laws. Choi Tae-gyu, head of the Project Moon Bear in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, said, "Killing animals painfully under the Animal Protection Act carries harsher penalties, such as up to three years in prison or fines of up to 30 million won. This inconsistency needs to be addressed."

Choi also raised concerns about bile extracted from euthanized bears, noting that anesthetics used during euthanasia could contaminate the bile, posing safety risks to consumers. Project Moon Bear is dedicated to rescuing captive bears and establishing a sanctuary in South Korea.

Two bears gaze out of their metal cage at a bear farm in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province. Project Moon Bear rescued the bears and relocated them to a temporary shelter in the county. Courtesy of Project Moon Bear

The amended law also addresses urban wildlife issues, expanding support for installing damage prevention facilities in urban areas affected by birds such as crows and feral pigeons.

Municipal governments can now ban or restrict feeding of animals deemed pests through ordinances. Violators will face fines of 200,000 won for a first offense, 500,000 won for a second offense and 1 million won for a third offense.

Kim Tae-oh, director of the Nature Conservation Bureau at the Ministry of Environment, said, "This amendment lays a foundation for the complete cessation of bear farming. We will actively collaborate with stakeholders to ensure its implementation and work with local governments to minimize damage caused by wildlife such as crows and pigeons."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.