Ozzy Osbourne and Duff McKagan Join Campaign Against Bear Bile Farming

Ozzy Osbourne and Duff McKagan's new cause might have a funny name, but it's no laughing matter.

The duo has joined a group of celebrities that includes Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis and Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon in support of the Let a Bear S--- in the Woods campaign, dedicated to bringing an end to the practice of bear bile farming.

It isn't something that's commonly discussed in the States, but bear bile farming is widespread in China, where campaign sponsor Animals Asia says thousands of the animals are trapped in barely livable conditions while having their bile harvested using painful and invasive techniques. Read Animal Asia's information below:

More than 10,000 bears – mainly moon bears, but also sun bears and brown bears – are kept on bile farms in China, and just under 2,000 in Vietnam. The bears are milked regularly for their bile, which is used in traditional medicine.

Bile is extracted using various painful, invasive techniques, all of which cause massive infection in the bears. This cruel practice continues despite the availability of a large number of effective and affordable herbal and synthetic alternatives.

Most farmed bears are kept in tiny cages. In China, the cages are sometimes so small that the bears are unable to turn around or stand on all fours. Some bears are put into cages as cubs and never released. Bears may be kept caged like this for up to 30 years. Most farmed bears are starved, dehydrated and suffer from multiple diseases and malignant tumours that ultimately kill them.

Kiedis has taped a spot for the campaign, which you can watch above. Visit the Bear in the Woods website for more information or to contribute to the cause.

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