WWF has a bone to pick with China over tiger and rhino parts

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has expressed concern over China’s announcement that it has legalised the use of tiger bone and rhino horn from captive-bred animals by hospitals and domestic trade.

“It is deeply concerning that China has reversed its 25-year-old tiger bone and rhino horn ban‚ allowing a trade that will have devastating consequences globally‚” said Margaret Kinnaird‚ WWF wildlife practice leader.

“Trade in tiger bone and rhino horn was banned in 1993. The resumption of a legal market for these products is an enormous setback to efforts to protect tigers and rhinos in the wild. China’s experience with the domestic ivory trade has clearly shown the difficulties of trying to control parallel legal and illegal markets for ivory. Not only could this lead to the risk of legal trade providing cover to illegal trade‚ this policy will also stimulate demand that had otherwise declined since the ban was put in place.” WWF is calling on China to maintain the ban on tiger bone and rhino horn trade‚ which they say has been critical in conserving these species.

According to WWF‚ both tiger bone and rhino horn were removed from the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacopeia in 1993‚ and the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies released a statement in 2010 urging members not to use tiger bone or any other parts from endangered species.

“Even if restricted to antiques and use in hospitals‚ this trade would increase confusion by consumers and law enforcers as to which products are and are not legal‚ and would likely expand the markets for other tiger and rhino products‚” Kinnaird said.

“With wild tiger and rhino populations at such low levels and facing numerous threats‚ legalized trade in their parts is simply too great a gamble for China to take. This decision seems to contradict the leadership China has shown recently in tackling the illegal wildlife trade‚ including the closure of their domestic ivory market‚ a game changer for elephants warmly welcomed by the global community.”