Animals In Danger Due To Oriental Medicine
Not everyone knows that oriental medicine, and in particular Chinese medicine, are responsible for the destruction of various animal species. There are many people who resort to these oriental treatments, apparently ancestral and infallible. The problem is that these “miracle” potions and ointments are made using endangered animals.
The problem is that these ancient remedies, dating back to about 3,000 years ago, are becoming fashionable in Europe, and the demand for cures and treatments that are created from tiger bones, rhino horn, or other parts of beings is increasing. living people who are hunted and killed solely for this business .
The truth is that there are many animal species that have been used by oriental medicine, from cows to scorpions, snakes or seahorses.
The rhinos, slaughtered for their horn
Asian rhinos have been hunted for millennia, mainly to obtain certain parts of their body, which would have a very strong healing power. Rhino horn, as an ingredient for Chinese medicine compounds, can cost 50,000 euros per kg.
We have already talked about the extinction of the northern white rhino, a situation that does not seem to ease the morale of those who make money by selling drugs of “dubious” effectiveness.
Unfortunately, the disappearance of this animal is the direct consequence of human ignorance.
The tiger: big cats are also at risk
One of the animals most threatened by oriental medicine is the tiger, a fascinating and noble living being, the very symbol of the Asian continent.
Well, oriental medicine uses many parts of the tiger’s body, such as bones. Do you think they can be worth $400 per kilogram.
Unfortunately, this has led to the creation of tiger farms for slaughter only.
To this we must add hunting and poaching which has reduced the presence of the tiger in China to less than 3000 specimens, being replaced in its habitat by other species of big cats, such as lions or jaguars.
It is a very profitable business and is now starting to affect lions as well.
As tiger bones become scarce, traditional Chinese medicine “experts” have been forced to find an alternative to craft their potions.
There is a sad fashion in this Asian country which is to sell and consume a wine made by grinding the bones of tigers and lions. Although officially illegal since 1993, tiger wine is readily available throughout China, and is in high demand because it has aphrodisiac powers.
The bears, other silent victims
Even in the case of bears, many parts of their bodies are used in oriental medicine. In particular , bile has become one of the most sought-after ingredients. Especially if it is taken from endangered bear species, such as the Malayan bear or the black bear.
As in the case of tigers, these bears are raised on farms, with the aim of eradicating the small amount of bile produced by the gallbladder, and which can reach exorbitant prices on the black market.
The life of these bears develops in tiny cages. They often grow with bone and muscle malformations. But that doesn’t matter, since the torturers are only interested in bile.
The pangolin, the animal most threatened by oriental medicine
Of all the animals endangered by oriental medicine, the pangolin is the most endangered species.
As with rhino horn, poachers once again derive enormous economic benefits from keratin. Although it is practically useless.
Hunters kill dozens and dozens of pangolins and tear off the scales of the armor of these small animals.
A quantity proportional to the death of 20,000 specimens can be stowed in a single warehouse. The “plates” of a pangolin can easily reach 3,000 euros per kg.
Although it is a protected species, it is believed that more than 100,000 pangolins are hunted every year.
Capturing and killing them is very easy because, in the face of danger, these harmless animals remain motionless and close like a ball. Like armadillos or hedgehogs, for example.
Sharks, killed by the dozen for a single fin
This fearsome fish has gone from predator to prey. The shark’s body is worth nothing, so the fishermen cut off its fins and throw it back into the sea, where it slowly dies.
Fins can be up to 30 times higher in value than meat. Imagine the number of sharks that must be killed in order to have a sufficient number of fins to prepare this “typical dish”.
We are facing a real holocaust.
Even shark fins, in theory, have purported healing properties. However, these culinary and medicinal eccentricities are a mere status symbol. Rhinos, tigers, bears, pangolins, sharks and other endangered animals are threatened by oriental medicine which exploits people’s ignorance and superficiality.
Absurd and antiquated beliefs, fashions, desire to be noticed and commercial interests are the fuel that powers a machine of destruction that man is happy to drive, without limits or scruples.
