One key that can be employed by conservationists to help protect endangered wildlife species would be to demystify traditional Chinese medicine.

Among the many wildlife species which are staples of Chinese medicine are rhinoceroses, pangolins, and tigers.

Proposal by researchers

This is the view held by a research team led by scientists from the University of Queensland (UQ).

According to Hubert Cheung, a Ph.D. candidate of UQ, the efforts to alter the long-entrenched beliefs and values in traditional Chinese medicine have not been effective, nor are they helping conservation move forward, at least for the short term.

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A better understanding of traditional practices

Cheung says that conservationists should gain a more in-depth understanding of these Chinese traditional practices. Such knowledge is critical in formulating conservation strategies that will be more effective.

According to Cheung, Chinese traditional medicine uses endangered species, and he acknowledges that it is a threat to the survival of these species. This is, he says, a challenge that conservationists must overcome. 

Shifting gears

So far, promoting messages that say these medicinal regimens are not effective is not helping. Showing and spreading scientific proof and evidence that they are not useful does not seem to work.

The same goes for substituting and promoting other biomedical alternatives; they do not drastically influence behaviors and decisions.

Cheung also says that many of the treatments and practices are being continuously criticized for having no scientific basis. Nonetheless, the WHO or World Health Organization still approved its inclusion in their WHO medical practice global compendium edition last year.

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Challenge for environmentalists and conservationists

According to Cheung, the present situation must consist of conservationists working pro-actively with Chinese traditional medical practitioners as well as other workers in this industry in order to work out solutions that are sustainable.

One of the problems in this regard is the unfamiliarity of the majority of environmental organizations and conservation scientists with the field of traditional Chinese medicine.

This makes it hard for concerned parties to formulate interventions that are effective while also appeasing cultural nuances.

Studying Chinese medicine

In this regard, the research team examined the core basic practices and theories of Chinese traditional medicine with the hope of making it more understandable and accessible.

Their goal is that the study and its nuances may positively influence advocacy and policymaking.

Status of Chinese traditional medicine

Currently, Cheun says that Chinese traditional medicine is officially integrated into the healthcare system of China. It has even played a central role in the response of China regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the recommendations made by the Chinese clinical guidance on the coronavirus response included using a medicinal product that has bear bile as one of its ingredients. This naturally alarmed conservation groups.

According to Hugh Possingham, a professor from UQ, Chinese traditional medicine is entrenched in Chinese society's cultural and social fabric. In addition, it is also gaining more users in other places.

Possingham says that understanding Chinese traditional medicine will help empower conservationists in engaging with medicinal and environmental stakeholders more constructively.

He and his colleagues hope that such work will help all concerned parties formulate more long term and effective strategies for endangered wildlife species that are threatened due to their use in traditional Chinese medicine.

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