For centuries, people around the world have used traditional medicines as a means of healing as part of their cultural practices. Unlike alternative or herbal medicines, traditional medicines rely on animal-derived ingredients, which has led to a major concern towards wildlife populations. Despite laws and regulations, overhunting and poaching for wildlife trafficking of animal parts are rampant, which is leading numerous species to the brink of extinction.
- Bear parts like claws, reproductive organs and gall bladders are heavily traded on the black market for their use in traditional Chinese medicine. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS]
Wildlife at Risk: The Price of Demand
Global demand for traditional medicine has dreadfully impacted wild species. For Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM, as many as 36 species are used, such as rhinos for their horns, tigers for their bones, bears for their bile, and pangolins for their scales. They are hunted and trafficked for their perceived healing properties despite stringent conservation laws and hefty penalties for poaching.
- Pangolin scales are believed to cure arthritis, cancer and improve blood circulation and in 2019, as many as 1,95,000 pangolins were trafficked for their scales alone. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
Despite robust legal protection, poachers also frequently target sloth bears. Their reproductive organs and gallbladders are sold on the black market as they are considered to be key ingredients of aphrodisiacs in traditional Chinese medicine.
- A 10-foot-long tiger skin, a tiger skeleton, tiger bones and a leopard skeleton were seized during a raid by Wildlife SOS that resulted in the arrest of six offenders. [Photo (c) Tamil Nadu WCCB]
In a global study published in 2020, it has been noted that a total of 521 mammalian species are used for traditional medicines and of them, the population of 201 species are under severe threat. Another assessment mentions that 165 species of reptiles are used to derive medicines worldwide and 53% of them are categorised as being endangered. In Brazil alone, of the 283 animal species used for medicinal purposes, 96% belong to the wild and 27% are classified as endangered. When it comes to India, 109 species of animals are being used to generate medicines, of which a whopping 76 appear on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, and 36 are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
- A visual representation of animal species used in traditional medicine globally. [Infographic (c) Wildlife SOS / Sneha Parul]
The Role of Cultural Beliefs and Myths
One of the main reasons for wildlife exploitation stems from traditions that have been followed and passed on through generations. For example a nomadic tribe in Rajasthan believes that consuming dove flesh will bring an early puberty in girls, which has placed a threat on the bird’s population. Similarly, there are misconceptions and misinterpretations surrounding the medicinal use of reptile eggs, meat, blood, oil, shells, skin, bones, and other body parts, due to which they are frequently exploited. Most of such practices lack scientific validity and pose a serious threat to reptile populations.
Ivory finds extensive use in TCM as well. The tusk powder is believed to have healing properties and can relieve convulsions, cure epilepsy, sore throat and consumptive fever. Similarly, the use of rhino horns in TCM have led to high poaching of this species.
- A joint operation led by Wildlife SOS resulted in the seizure of two rhino horns and five pieces of elephant ivory in Vadodara. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS GSPCA]
Conservation Strategies: A Path Forward
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reveals that as many as 170 countries are using traditional medicines, indicating the vast reliance on animals. Despite the wide use of animal ingredients in traditional medicines, the impact it has on wildlife has not been given the importance or attention it urgently needs. Lack of sensitivity towards this subject has resulted in overlooked malpractices.
- Monitor lizards are under threat as they are targeted for their body parts that are also used to make medicines. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS]
With technology advancing in this day and age, it can help us devise ways that can promote human-wildlife coexistence, rather than conflict. In those cases that are scientifically studied and proven, it has been suggested that medicinal molecules of animals can be derived by studying their chemical components carefully, without harming declining wildlife populations through poaching and killing.
- The increasing seizures of elephant tusks in India reflect the escalating threats faced by these gentle giants. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS]
An ideal approach towards conserving wildlife populations is by approaching communities to generate awareness on how animal exploitation can have a grave impact on the ecology of their surroundings. This would also help to debunk the many myths and unfounded beliefs about animals.
A Call for Responsible Healing
Traditional medicine brings together chapters from history on human healthcare, but its future must align with conservation priorities. By combining community education and scientific research, we can ensure that healing methods don’t compromise biodiversity. Today’s decisions in conservation and medicine will determine the future of many species.
We can preserve cultural heritage and safeguard wildlife by using ethical practices in traditional medicine. As Mahatma Gandhi had once said – “The earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”
You too can play a huge role in spreading awareness on how traditional medicines are harming animals. To know more about Wildlife SOS’s conservation efforts, do subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
Feature image: Kunal Malhotra / Wildlife SOS
