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China Leads Global Wildlife Consumption, with Pangolins, Donkeys, Bears, and Turtles Exploited by Traditional Chinese Medicine on an Alarming Scale
In 2024, China topped the global ranking as the largest consumer of wildlife products. This position included both the legal and illegal markets, with a focus on the massive use of animal parts across different segments.
The country has established itself as a destination for items such as ivory, pangolin scales, tiger bones, rhino horns, and even exotic pets.
The volume is so significant that experts consider China the largest illegal importer of live animals on the planet.
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This growing demand is directly related to the influence of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which fuels the search for substances and parts from endangered species.
Pangolins: The Most Trafficked Mammals on the Planet
Pangolins are shy, nocturnal animals, but their most notable characteristic, the scales, has made them the central target of trafficking.
TCM assigns various healing properties to these scales, even though there is no scientific evidence of efficacy.
Despite being listed in Appendix I of the CITES Convention, which prohibits international trade of the species, it is estimated that over 100,000 pangolins are trafficked annually to China and Vietnam.
Official seizures reflect only a part of the problem. The actual numbers are likely even higher, as many illegal operations remain out of reach of authorities.
TCM: The Donkey Crisis and the Expansion of Ejiao
Another critical example is the Chinese demand for ejiao, a gelatin extracted from donkey skins. The product is widely used in TCM and has led to massive slaughter of the species on a global scale.
Between 2.3 million and 4.8 million donkeys are killed each year to supply the market. The impact is devastating, especially in Africa, where entire donkey populations have collapsed.
South Africa lost about 30% of its donkeys between 1996 and 2019. Kenya recorded a 33% decline during the same period. Botswana faced the most drastic loss: 70% in just a decade, from 2011 to 2021.
In Brazil, the numbers are alarming: the donkey population, according to experts, has already declined about 94% in recent years, leaving the species endangered in the country.
These numbers reveal how China’s pressure has altered ecosystems and local economies in different regions of Africa and the world.
Bear Farms and the Cruel Extraction of Bile
The bear bile trade is another example of a practice that remains active. In 2013, estimates indicated that between 9,000 and 20,000 bears lived on farms in China, destined for bile extraction.
These animals are kept in inhumane conditions. They often remain confined in cages the size of coffins, suffering from hunger and distress.
The bile is extracted directly from the gallbladders, causing continuous pain and stress.
Despite international criticism, the product is still used for supposed treatments, reinforcing the link between TCM and species trafficking.
The Turtle Market
The Chinese soft-shell turtles are also on this list. Raised on a large scale, their shells are removed for medicinal use.
While there are no confirmed absolute numbers, it is estimated that over half a million individuals are traded annually.
Currently, about 2.8 million would be in captivity on farms, creating a parallel market of gigantic proportions.
The Gold of Cattle Gallstones
Among the most surprising products is cattle gallstone. Valued by TCM for treating conditions such as strokes, each stone can reach values of up to US$ 5,800 per ounce, exceeding the price of gold.
This trade, although permitted in some countries, creates ideal conditions for the black market to thrive.
In many cases, a single gallstone can be worth more than all the meat taken from the animal.
It is not surprising that farmers are studying ways to induce the development of these stones in their herds, aiming for extraordinary profits.
The Economic Power of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The financial impact of Traditional Chinese Medicine is enormous. It is estimated that this market generates US$ 60 billion every year.
Over 40% of the Chinese pharmaceutical sector depends on TCM, and a significant portion uses animal-derived inputs.
At least 70 species are officially listed in the Chinese pharmacopeia, but research suggests the actual number may exceed 200.
In practice, this means that the use of wildlife continues to be one of the pillars of a billion-dollar market, highly resistant to change.
Regulatory Attempts and the Limits of Oversight
In 2020, China removed pangolin scales from the official TCM list. The decision was celebrated as progress, but experts emphasize that the measure did not result in real changes.
Oversight remains weak, and demand remains high. The result is the persistence of trafficking as a structural element of this trade.
The reality is that even with laws and international conventions, the power of the market and the culture of consumption hinder any significant change.
The Illegal Trade in Numbers
The available data helps to illustrate the severity of the problem. Pangolins account for up to 20% of all wildlife illegally traded.
It is estimated that at least 100,000 seizures per year are related to the search for their scales. This reinforces the centrality of the animal in the black market.
Additionally, the global use of TCM is responsible for up to 60% of trafficked animals. This data shows how the practice affects not only China but the entire international network of illegal trade.
Global Consequences
Although China holds the largest share of demand, the problem is not exclusive to the country. Several other markets participate in the consumption and distribution chain.
This transnational nature of the trade requires joint efforts, international cooperation, and strict law enforcement at different levels.
Without such coordinated action, the trend is that species such as pangolins and turtles will disappear within decades.
The Role of Organizations and Possible Solutions
Animal Survival International (ASI) has advocated for radical changes in addressing the problem. The organization calls for China to strengthen its laws and prohibit any commercial use of endangered species.
Among the suggested measures are:
- Stronger penalties for buyers and traffickers.
- Increased funding for customs, forest police, and border security.
- Strict oversight in markets, shops, and TCM farms.
- Awareness campaigns to change consumer behavior.
- Modernization of TCM, replacing animal products with plant or synthetic alternatives.
These actions could reduce pressure on endangered species, although they depend on political will and cultural acceptance.
A Race Against Time
The current situation presents a harsh reality: if nothing is done, the risk of extinction for several species is imminent.
Pangolins, African donkeys, and some turtles are already showing signs of population collapse. The same may happen to other animals if demand continues at the current pace.
Therefore, the challenge is immense. Global pressure on China is increasing, but results remain limited.
The future of biodiversity depends on the ability to curb trade before it is too late.
With information from Animal Survival.
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