Sun Simiao (581-682), a famous physician of the Tang Dynasty, once wrote in his classic work 'On the Absolute Sincerity of Great Physicians' 《大医精诚》: “A physician sometimes treats diseases with animal products. However, both humans and animals cherish their lives. Curing human illness by using animals goes against the principle of practising medicine to save lives. Therefore, I do not use animal products in my prescriptions.”

Protecting wildlife is also a way for us to preserve the long-term values of Traditional Medicine. Register to become a member of The Coalition for Wildlife Protection in TCM to act together for a humane and sustainable Traditional Medicine!

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WILDLIFE ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION

  • Over 1 million individuals were killed between 2000 and 2014 (TRAFFIC)
  • From 2015 to 2019, a total of 215 tons of pangolin scales were confiscated in Asia (C4ADS)
  • All 8 pangolin species in the world are now facing the risk of extinction (IUCN)
  • In Asia, the pangolin population has decreased by more than 80% in the last 20 years due to hunting for their scales and meat (IUCN)
  • The tiger's distribution range has shrunk by 93% in just one century (IUCN)
  • It is estimated that there are about 7,000 - 8,000 tigers being kept in captivity in facilities across Asia (TRAFFIC)
  • As of November 2021, there are only about 3,900 wild tigers left worldwide, a significant decrease from 100,000 a century ago (WWF)
  • The IUCN Red List classifies 3 of the 5 remaining rhino species (Black Rhino, Sumatran Rhino, and Javan Rhino) as Critically Endangered (IUCN)
  • Since the beginning of the 20th century, the global wild rhino population has plummeted from 500,000 individuals to less than 28,000 (IRF)
  • In 2023 alone, 586 rhinos were killed by poaching across Africa (IRF)
  • More than 12,000 bears are being kept in bile farms in Asia (WAP, 2018)
  • As of August 2024, there are still 94 bears being kept in 16 private facilities in Hanoi (ENV)
  • Bears are confined in small, narrow cages, often subjected to pain and can die from infections, diseases, dehydration, or starvation.

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IS A MAJOR CAUSE

Although they have long existed in Traditional Medicine as precious medicinal ingredients, the use of wildlife products is now contributing to pushing many species to the brink of extinction. Recent studies and surveys show that a significant proportion of Traditional Medicine practitioners still believe in the healing effects of these products and continue to prescribe them, including species protected by law.

80.7%

of surveyed Traditional Medicine practitioners believe that pangolin products have therapeutic effects for at least one of the following conditions: issues related to mammary glands, blood stasis, and bone and joint diseases (such as arthritis, rheumatism), etc.

(WildAid, 2023)

59%

of Traditional Medicine practitioners admitted to having recommended the use of illegal products (from threatened species such as rhino horn, tiger, and pangolin) to patients within the past two years

(TRAFFIC, 2022)

53%

of surveyed Traditional Medicine practitioners believe that pangolin products can effectively treat blocked milk ducts

(WildAid, 2023)

Up to 400

animal species are used in Traditional Medicine in Vietnam, among which 71 species are listed in the IUCN Red List

(TRAFFIC, 2008)

40%

of Traditional Medicine practitioners admit to still regularly prescribing bear bile to patients

(Animal Asia Foundation, 2013)

INTERNATIONAL COALITION FOR WILDLIFE PROTECTION IN TCM

The use of wildlife products in Traditional Medicine is one of the main reasons for the serious decline in wildlife populations. Therefore, the use of alternative medicinal ingredients and safe, sustainable treatment methods that do not harm biodiversity in Traditional Medicine is the key to contributing to nature conservation. Consequently, The Coalition for Wildlife Protection in TCM was established with the mission of connecting practitioners, educators, herbal producers and distributors, Traditional Medicine researchers, and the community to jointly build a humane, modern, and nature-friendly Traditional Medicine.

VIETNAM COALITION FOR WILDLIFE PROTECTION IN TCM

On May 18, 2025, at the 3rd International Conference on Wildlife Protection in Traditional Medicine in Hue, the Vietnam chapter of The Coalition for Wildlife Protection in TCM was officially launched. This event received strong support from leading experts in the field of Traditional Medicine, along with the active participation of representatives from government agencies, non-profit organizations, and domestic and international businesses, marking a significant milestone in the journey to promote wildlife conservation linked with the sustainable and responsible development of Traditional Medicine in Vietnam.

EXECUTED CAMPAIGNS

MEDICINAL SUBSTITUTES FOR WILDLIFE

WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY?

“The conservation status and illegal trade of pangolins in particular, and wildlife in general, is an extremely urgent issue. Due to the habit of using medicine in our East, especially in China and Vietnam, it has greatly affected the exploitation and use of pangolin scales. According to CITES, pangolins are the most illegally traded wild mammal in the world. Since 1960, the yellow pangolin population has decreased by 80% in Southeast Asia due to hunting for scales for medicine and market demand,...”

Dr. Trinh Thi Lua
Lecturer, Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Hanoi Medical University

“When we use wildlife as medicinal ingredients in Traditional Medicine, we will face risks of violating the law and spreading diseases. Besides, in Traditional Medicine, the principle of maintaining the body's natural balance will be broken if we use them. Thus, we must be responsible, contributing to maintaining the biological balance and biodiversity of the Earth.”

Dr. Doan Van Minh
Head of the Department of Traditional Medicine, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy (HUMP)

“In the inevitable process of replacing wildlife with medicinal herbs, new Eastern Medicine is an important step forward. The combination of Traditional Medicine theory in the pathogenesis mechanism and the mechanism of action of the active ingredients in medicinal herbs will bring about completely new Eastern medicine products from medicinal herbs. The product achieves treatment effectiveness, suitable for the development trend of safety, sustainability, nature-friendliness, protects biodiversity, and avoids harming rare and precious animal species.”

Dr. Dang Thi Phuong Thao
Specialist Level I Doctor of Soc Trang General Hospital, Vice Director of VIMP

“Alternative medicinal herbs for wildlife ingredients are not only the key to protecting biodiversity, but also an effective alternative solution in Traditional Medicine. By applying herbs readily available in nature, we can continue to inherit and develop the heritage of Traditional Medicine in a more sustainable way.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Phuong Dung
Director of VIMP, Member of Executive Committee of the HCMC Association of Oriental Medicine

"In the future, for this replacement to become sustainable, the information needs to be updated in official documents, and we must proactively find sustainable sources of herbal alternatives. I would like to propose 4 steps to implement this replacement: First, analyze the chemical composition and biological effects; second, after selecting the alternative herb, we proceed to standardize this medicinal ingredient; third, document and update it in the pharmacopoeia; finally, proactively build a source of raw materials for the alternative medicinal herbs, for example: establishing cultivation areas,..."

Ms. Doan Thi Ai Nghia
Pharmacist, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy

"We can conduct more research not only to replace rhino horn but also to replace pangolin scales, bear bile, seahorses,... in clinical practice. It is these changes in knowledge that will help us change our behaviours to protect wildlife in reality."

Dr. Dinh Thi Lan Huong
Deputy Head of Training and Scientific Research Department, Institute of Traditional Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City

JOIN THE COALITION
FOR WILDLIFE PROTECTION IN TCM
TODAY!

Protecting wildlife is also a way for us to preserve the long-term values of Traditional Medicine. Register to become a member of The Coalition for Wildlife Protection in TCM to act together for a humane and sustainable Traditional Medicine!

REGISTER NOW