South Koreans demonstrate for bear protection

May 10, 1997
Web posted at: 2:37 p.m. EDT (1837 GMT)

SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- In a rally held in central Seoul on Friday, members of various environmental groups staged a graphic reenactment of a bear hunt to show why the South Korean government should do more to protect the animals.

All Asian bears are endangered, and poachers have ample incentive to go after the few that remain, since a single gall bladder can fetch thousands of dollars on the South Korean market. Bear gall bladders and bile are used in traditional Asian medicines and their paws are prized as an edible delicacy.

Four groups, including the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement and the Humane Society International, participated in the rally Saturday. American wildlife and conservation groups in February said the United States should sanction South Korea on the grounds that the country is violating international treaties against trading in bear parts.

Reuters contributed to this report.

 

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