Pangolins are unique mammals understood for their big, keratin scales that cover their bodies. They are discovered in Asia and Africa and are highly valued for their meat and scales, which are utilized in standard medicine.
Pangolins, a group of mammals with distinct scale-covered bodies, are dealing with a sharp reduction in their populations throughout Asia and Africa due to rampant unlawful trade. The trade of pangolins, both legal and illegal, fuels the marketplace for traditional Chinese medication, drawing the attention of conservationists. Regardless of this, the level of demand for pangolins and other wildlife items in traditional Chinese medicine remains under-researched.
A recent study published in Nature Conservation by Dr. Yifu Wang, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hong Kong, dove into the trade of pangolin scales in China. The study was performed by talking to workers from hospitals and pharmaceutical shops in two provinces, Henan and Hainan. From October 2016 to April 2017, Dr. Wang and her group engaged in conversations with 41 health center doctors and 134 pharmaceutical shop owners and assistants.
The research found pangolin scales and their derivatives were commonly offered in medical facilities and pharmaceutical shops throughout Henan and Hainan Provinces. The legislation in location, nevertheless, has actually not had the ability to avoid ongoing unlawful sell pangolin items. Her team found that 46% of surveyed healthcare facilities and 34% of surveyed pharmaceutical stores were offering pangolin-scale products illegally.
The trade of pangolins, both legal and illicit, fuels the market for standard Chinese medicine, drawing the attention of conservationists. A recent research study published in Nature Conservation by Dr. Yifu Wang, a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Hong Kong, delved into the trade of pangolin scales in China. The research found pangolin scales and their derivatives were extensively available in health centers and pharmaceutical shops across Henan and Hainan Provinces. The legislation in location, nevertheless, has not been able to avoid ongoing illegal trade in pangolin items.
Processed pangolin scales. Credit: Yifu Wang
” Existing legal trade permits 711 health centers to offer pangolin products as medication with guidelines on manufacturer, plan, and nationwide annual sale quantity,” describes Dr. Yifu Wang. “However, we show that pangolin scales are under heavy need and unpermitted sellers are typically discovered illegally offering pangolin items.”
” Quantities of products traded by allowed legal sellers are approximated to significantly exceed the supply capability of legal sources,” she continues.
This prevalent prohibited trade, coupled with the very restricted legal supply capability compared to market demand, is worrying. The researchers point to the immediate requirement to reduce the demand for standard Chinese medicine on pangolin scales and modify the present legal pangolin scale trade system.
” We also highlight the importance of integrating the standard Chinese medicine sector into combating unlawful wildlife trade and types preservation beyond pangolins,” they conclude.
The scientists prepare to continue investigating the pangolin scale market in China to understand the trade after COVID-19.
Reference: “The scale of the problem: comprehending the need for medicinal pangolin products in China” by Yifu Wang, Samuel T. Turvey and Nigel Leader-Williams, 3 April 2023, Nature Conservation.DOI: 10.3897/ natureconservation.52.95916.