Abstract

Pangolin Conservation and the Sustainable Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Pangolin scales have been used as an ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that can be used to treat a wide range of symptoms and illnesses. However, they are also a body part of an endangered animal, the only mammal taxa covered entirely by scales. As pangolin populations have declined drastically in recent decades due to illegal poaching and habitat loss, questions about the sustainability of this practice have become increasingly urgent. This research aims to understand whether the demand for pangolin scales in TCM can be sustainable by examining the past and current landscape of the pangolin scale market and relevant policies in China. By integrating insights from market analysis, policy evaluation, and TCM’s traditional usage context, this research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between medicinal demand, conservation efforts, and policy intervention.