Common Name/s: Asiatic black (aka Himalayan black bear), American black, Brown, Polar, Sloth, Sun (aka Malayan sun bear), Spectacled (aka Andean bear) and Panda (aka Giant Panda).

Scientific Name/s: Ursus thibetanus (Asiatic black), Ursus americanus (American black), Ursus maritimus (Polar), Melursus ursinus (Sloth), Helarctos malayanus (Sun), Tremarctos ornatus (Spectacled), Ailuropoda melanoleuca (Panda).

Range and Habitat: These eight species live in a diverse range of habitats, from the ice packs surrounding the Arctic to the forests of India and South East Asia.

Status: Critically Endangered

Bears are poached for their skins as rugs and trophies and for their body parts which supply the traditional Chinese medicine trade and exotic meat market. Their paws are removed one at a time while alive to ensure freshness when used in traditional Asian meals. Bear gall bladders and bile are used to treat a wide variety of ailments from burns to liver disorders.