The Secret Misery of the Moonbear, 2018 Korea Olympics Mascot

The moon bear has been chosen as a mascot for the 2018 Winter Olympics, to be held in PyeongChang, South Korea. However, the reality for thousands of these bears is dark: trapped inside small cages for most of their lives waiting to be slaughtered for their bile. South Korea has 39 of these farms, and the bears’ lives look starkly different from the bubbly cartoon mascot.

 

Video by Animals Asia

The moon bear is a sub-species of the asiatic black bear, found all over Asia. Their natural habitat is forests and mountains. But wild numbers have dramatically decreased due to habitat loss and poaching for bile farms. Though bear bile has no proven medical benefits, South Korea — as well as China and Laos — still allow bile farms to legally operate.

Please check out and share this infographic to show your concern and support of the moon bear!