Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Wildlife

The protection of wildlife, and especially species seen as endangered, is a core activity affecting ARC and our partners around the world. One of the biggest driving forces behind illegal poaching is the demand for body parts such as rhino horn and tiger penis to supply the black market in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Although such a trade is outlawed, according to TCM practitioners these commodities have powerful medical properties and their rarity means they come at a very high price, making them highly profitable to poachers and traders alike.

But the principles underlying TCM come from the same tradition as Daoism and are rooted in the need to always bring about balance and harmony in the universe. This means that any ingredient obtained by threatening the existence of a species of plant or animal will be ineffective as a curative medicine. This important fact has been endorsed by the leading Daoist scholars in China while at the same time they are identifying alternative (sustainable) herbal remedies that can be used instead.

ARC has been working in partnership with the Chinese Daoist Association who are promoting this vitally important message by speaking in public forums, writing articles and teaching. This challenge to the demand for body parts is part of a global strategy, with ARC's partners in countries like Indonesia, Kenya and other sub-Saharan African nations committing themselves to raising awareness in communities where the animals are being poached. With committed faith groups from Christian and Muslim communities joining the Daoists in challenging both supply and demand it is hoped that the needless slaughter of these beautiful and iconic species can be brought to a halt.

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