Abstract

Endangered Wildlife Protection: Research Update and Solutions

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the world's largest traditional medicine and one of the most widely used medical systems. Unlike Western medicine's diagnosis-based treatment, TCM uses syndrome differentiation. Treatment methods include herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, and qigong. Herbal medicine encompasses natural resources such as plants, animals, minerals, and fungi, as well as some processed products, and is associated with a huge TCM industry, accounting for about one-third of China's pharmaceutical output. In ancient times, natural resources and the ecological environment maintained a dynamic balance. However, in modern times, due to population growth, industrial development, and ecological degradation, natural resources have been depleted. Maintaining the balance between economic development and the ecological environment, and achieving sustainable development for humanity, has become a major challenge. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) of 1973 was a response to this challenge. Currently, it has 184 contracting parties, including China. Hong Kong joined through China and is governed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). Any importation or export of endangered species (Levels 1-3, such as ivory, some orchids, and precious timber) requires a CITES permit. Violators may be fined up to HK$1 million and imprisoned for up to one year. The latest 2024 survey of Chinese medicinal resources identified 18,817 types of medicinal herbs, including 15,321 medicinal plants, 826 medicinal fungi, 2,517 medicinal animals, and 153 medicinal minerals. Animal-derived medicinal materials account for approximately 13.376% of the total, some of which are endangered species, such as tiger bone, rhinoceros horn, leopard bone, bear bile, musk, and pangolin scales etc. The 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia no longer includes endangered animal-derived medicines. This lecture will explore the history, culture, and clinical applications of animal-derived medicines, as well as modern research on animal-derived medicines and alternatives, using bear bile alternatives as an example to discuss the protection and sustainable development of endangered animal-derived medicines.