Wildlife

Animal Welfare in Traditional Medicine Markets

Traditional medicine markets — particularly in Asia — drive demand for bear bile, pangolin scales, tiger bone, and other wildlife products causing massive welfare suffering globally.

Key Facts

An estimated 12,000-20,000 bears are held on bear bile farms in China and Vietnam
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world, supplying traditional medicine markets
Tiger bone wine production involves killing tigers for skeletal material steeped in alcohol
Scientific evidence for many traditional medicine claims is limited or absent
Consumer demand reduction campaigns have shown measurable impact in some markets

Welfare Considerations

Animals supplying traditional medicine markets suffer enormously. Farmed bears have metal catheters inserted into their gallbladders for bile extraction — a procedure causing chronic pain and infection. Pangolins die in huge numbers from poaching stress before reaching consumers. Tigers are bred in intensive conditions for eventual slaughter. Welfare improvement requires both demand reduction and enforcement action simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Never purchase traditional medicine products containing wildlife ingredients
Support demand reduction campaigns in traditional medicine consumer markets
Donate to organizations working on bear bile farm phase-out
Advocate for import restrictions on traditional medicine wildlife products
Support development of synthetic or plant-based alternatives to wildlife-derived medicines