• M. Silverberg/Traffic Southeast Asia/AP Photo
    8 of 11

    BEAR BILE FARMS

    Asian black bears -- aka bile bears -- are prized for their bile. That is to say, the bile is prized, while the bears themselves are viewed as little more than production facilities and delivery systems for the bile, not as animals to be treated with dignity and respect. The bears are held in incredibly small cages called crush cages, and they undergo tortuously painful procedures to milk their organs for bile. Mortality rates are high. What makes the bile so precious? It is used in traditional Chinese medicine. And while the bile is rich in important ursodeoxycholic acid, this substance is readily available in a synthetic form. Several organizations exist to bring an end to these cruel bear farms, and you can help by sponsoring a bear. (Animals Asia)