No, these really aren't humans in bear costumes, but real black bears at Qingdao's Xiaozhushan Scenic Spot performing stunts to wow visitors for during the May Day holiday. more ›

On the subject of bear bile extraction, some say we are also cruel to pigs, sheep, hens and ducks, and so all non-vegetarians have no right to speak. I think: 1) All cruelty should be condemned, but it is impossible to get rid of it all, so there should be priorities. 2) Of course, we should start by condemning behaviors which are the most brutal, the most dishonest, those that have the most power to awake the public, those with the greatest potential for change, those most likely to raise money and from there get the ball rolling. 3) Everyone has a right to speak up. Please don't say anyone has no right to say something. more ›

Guizhentang, the Fujian-based medicine company criticized for its inhumane bear bile extraction practices, yesterday opened their bear farm to members of the Chinese media. With Guizhentang applying for a public listing for the second time, the company is facing criticism and boycotts from animal rights activists and foundations, including the Animals Asia Foundation. more ›

Guizhentang, the bear bile company that has hogged headlines all week for its second attempt at a public listing has started a public relations campaign to pacify the chorus of condemnation from animal lovers, celebrities and the general public of its alleged animal abuse activities. more ›

Yesterday, Fang Shuting, the chairperson of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine gained notoriety for saying at a press conference, ”The process of extracting bear bile is like turning on a tap: natural, easy and without pain. After they're done, the bears can even play happily outside. I don't think there's anything out of the ordinary! It might even be a very comfortable process!” Since then, this video posted by an undercover journalist from the Xiaoxiang Morning Post, which shows bear bile being collected at a farm, has gone viral. The process, as you can see (and hear), is neither comfortable nor enjoyable, and no bears are seen "playing happily outside". more ›

Animal rights groups and over 70 Chinese celebrities are protesting the decision by a company specializing in the extraction of bile from Asiatic black bears raised on their private farm to seek a public listing. The Fujian-based Guizhentang Pharmaceutical Co. is making a second bid to list publicly, after their first attempt was thwarted last year by public criticism last year. more ›

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Shanghai Wildlife Park has promptly suspended the trainer caught on video beating and kicking a bear cub. According to the park, the trainer was "not a staff member with the park, but was with a circus team from neighboring Anhui Province, which provides shows to visitors under contract with the park. The bear was also brought by the circus team." more ›

After hearing loud cries coming from inside a building, a visitor at the Shanghai Wildlife Park decided to check out what was happening and record what they saw. Inside, one trainer is seen using a metal pipe (it's not entirely clear whether they are using the pipes to beat the cubs or whether they are simply a part of the performance?) as he tugs and kicks a young black bear. The cub is obviously distressed, and the trainer is obviously accustomed to using force. more ›

One unbearable side effect to the opening of borders between Russia and China has been the rise in sales of illegal animal parts, says the New York Times. And though tiger bones, deer musk and frogs are smuggled in as well, the most popular item in this underground market is bear paws. more ›

By Richard Yu more ›

This may get to you too late (unfortunately we have a 9 to 5 and can't blog on demand), but tonight, instead of sitting on your ass in front of the computer, stop by The Shelter and witness their first experiment with a four-piece (or more) band. Angry Jerks (last seen playing in Shanghai in March of 2007) from Nanjing, one of the tightest punk outfits this side of the Pacific, will be joined by those always pleasant Boys Climbing Ropes (we hear they like to climb ropes because of that special tingling sensation they get in their pants). more ›

Late last year, Shanghaiist ran several stories on the abhorrent Animal Olympics event held in Shanghai. Such was the media and public backlash against this event, we didn't expect to see performances of its ilk again in Shanghai. Optimists like us are often proven wrong. Shanghai Wild Animal Park, the organisers of last year's Animal Olympics, appear to be up to their old tricks. more ›

Sunday. Usually, a quiet, contemplative day in the Blogosphere. But not here in the Ist-a-Verse. Nonono! Just look below and see all of the wild and crazy stuff our staffs are up to. more ›

-Bostonist discussed two big state issues-- what sort of math constitutes a marriage and what kind of alcohol can be sold in most grocery stores. And the politically minded Curt Schilling went on "Jeopardy!". more ›

Austinist was in an entertainment state of mind as they covered the dickens out of the Austin Film Festival, depicted all the Big 12 football coaches as South Park characters, and interviewed Jose Gonzalez. more ›