The world hates rats. Unfair. Speciesism in action. Although, some people love them and this story may change the public profile of this much maligned ‘pest’ so mercilessly persecuted by humans. They are smart and eminently trainable with memories as good as the best sniffer dogs. Being a lot smaller they can rummage around shipping containers off their lead and find illegal contraband that would be beyond the abilities of the best dogs.
The infographic explains how 11 African giant pouched rats have been successfully trained to become essential team members of the border force in East Africa where they contribute to chipping away at this vast business in which 100 million plants and animals and their body parts are trafficked annually. It is a wildlife conservation nightmare and overall, there is no stopping it as the demand in Asia is unshakeable resulting in huge financial profits. Money has always trumped the efforts of conservationists. And always will.
The only real long-term solution would be to change the Asian culture which leads the citizens of countries such as China and Vietnam to believe that eating the body parts of now highly endangered animal species are effective medicinal remedies when there is no scientific evidence to support these ancient, superstitious beliefs.
Taking one common animal body part, pangolin scales, here is some further information.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pangolin scales have long been believed to have medicinal properties. The scales, made of keratin (the same protein found in human hair and nails), are thought to help with a range of ailments, from improving blood circulation to aiding lactation and treating conditions like arthritis and skin diseases. Although scientific evidence does not support these health claims, demand for pangolin scales has remained high, particularly in parts of China and Vietnam, where TCM is most prevalent.
Cultural Beliefs and the Use of Pangolin Scales in TCM
The belief in the healing powers of pangolin scales stems from ancient texts and practices that view wildlife as a source of medicinal ingredients. In TCM, each substance is thought to carry specific “energies” or “properties” beneficial to human health. Pangolin scales are classified as having warm properties that can dispel wind and dampness, believed to be beneficial for reducing inflammation and aiding in blood circulation. Despite these beliefs, many TCM practitioners today advocate for plant-based or synthetic substitutes, particularly as awareness of pangolin endangerment has grown.
The Impact on Pangolin Populations
Pangolins are currently one of the most trafficked animals in the world due to high demand for their scales and meat, leading to a rapid decline in populations across Africa and Asia. All eight species of pangolins (four in Asia and four in Africa) are threatened with extinction, with some Asian species critically endangered. This illegal wildlife trade has devastating impacts:
- Drastic Population Declines: Over a million pangolins have been poached in the past decade alone, and the numbers continue to drop as the demand for scales remains high.
- Ecosystem Disruption: Pangolins play a crucial ecological role as insectivores, primarily feeding on ants and termites. Their disappearance impacts soil health and insect populations, disrupting the delicate balance in their habitats.
- Conservation Challenges: Despite legal protections under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), pangolin trafficking remains rampant due to high demand and the involvement of well-organized criminal networks.
Recent Developments and Conservation Efforts
Conservationists and governments have been making efforts to protect pangolins through stronger enforcement of wildlife trade laws, public awareness campaigns, and rescue operations. China, for example, upgraded pangolins to the highest level of protected species in 2020, which prohibits their hunting, trading, and consumption. Additionally, TCM practitioners are increasingly promoting herbal alternatives to reduce reliance on animal products.
However, the long-standing cultural beliefs surrounding pangolin scales in TCM make the path to conservation challenging. Changing such ingrained traditions requires not only legal reform but also extensive public education and a shift in attitudes toward wildlife protection.
Is there any scientific evidence which supports the medicinal benefits?
No, there is currently no scientific evidence to support the medicinal benefits of pangolin scales. Studies have shown that pangolin scales are made almost entirely of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails. Keratin is biologically inactive in terms of medicinal effects when consumed, so ingesting or applying it does not provide any scientifically recognized therapeutic benefits.
Here’s a breakdown of the main areas where scientific evidence diverges from traditional beliefs about pangolin scales:
1. Lack of Pharmacological Activity
- Scientific studies have not found pangolin scales to have any pharmacologically active compounds that can treat inflammation, promote blood circulation, or stimulate lactation. The traditional claims of these benefits are likely based on anecdotal evidence rather than scientifically controlled studies.
- TCM claims about pangolin scales improving blood flow or treating conditions like arthritis rely on subjective reports rather than clinical data, and the supposed effects have not been reproducible in laboratory settings.
2. Comparative Studies on Keratin-Based Substances
- Given that keratin is a relatively inert substance, it is unlikely to be broken down into bioactive components within the human digestive system. Consuming keratin, whether from pangolin scales or human hair, would be similarly ineffective, as the body cannot digest it in a way that would provide therapeutic effects.
- Scientific tests on other keratin-based substances, such as human or animal hair, have shown no significant medicinal properties, and there is no reason to expect pangolin scales to behave differently.
3. Placebo Effect in Traditional Medicine
- Some observed effects from using pangolin scales in traditional medicine might be due to the placebo effect, where patients perceive an improvement in symptoms due to belief in the treatment rather than the treatment itself.
- This effect is common across various traditional remedies and does not imply an inherent medicinal value in the substance.
Implications for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
- Recognizing the lack of evidence, modern TCM practitioners have increasingly recommended plant-based or synthetic alternatives. Many TCM practitioners acknowledge that these substitutes are not only more sustainable but also pose fewer legal and ethical issues.
In conclusion, although pangolin scales have held a place in TCM for centuries, modern science does not support their medicinal efficacy. Conservationists, scientists, and responsible TCM practitioners are working to discourage the use of pangolin scales, emphasizing that any therapeutic benefits can likely be achieved with more sustainable, evidence-based alternatives.
Is there any way of changing the mindset of the people who consume pangolin scales?
Changing the mindset of people who consume pangolin scales, especially given the long-standing traditions surrounding their use, is challenging but achievable through a multi-faceted approach that combines education, policy, and alternative medicine practices. Here are some effective strategies that have shown promise in changing consumer behavior in similar contexts:
1. Educational Campaigns on Conservation and Animal Welfare
- Raising Awareness of Pangolin Endangerment: Many consumers may be unaware of how endangered pangolins have become due to poaching. Highlighting pangolin populations’ rapid decline and the species’ role in ecosystems can evoke empathy and concern among consumers.
- Highlighting the Lack of Medicinal Value: Partnering with respected figures in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to discuss scientific findings and the ineffectiveness of keratin-based scales could reduce demand by dispelling myths about their healing properties. This approach has helped reduce consumer demand for other animal products, such as rhino horn.
- Media Campaigns: Public awareness campaigns via social media, documentaries, and public service announcements can effectively spread information. Using visuals of the impact on pangolin populations often resonates more emotionally than facts alone.
2. Incorporating TCM Practitioners in Conservation Efforts
- Engaging TCM Practitioners as Advocates: Practitioners who are respected in the community can play a vital role in recommending plant-based alternatives to pangolin scales. When influential TCM professionals support conservation-friendly practices, consumers are more likely to follow their advice.
- Training for TCM Practitioners: Training TCM practitioners to understand conservation issues and alternative treatments can empower them to recommend sustainable practices to patients. China has introduced some TCM schools that include conservation in the curriculum, emphasizing plant-based ingredients over endangered animal products.
3. Introducing and Promoting Alternative Remedies
- Herbal and Synthetic Alternatives: Educating consumers about effective, sustainable alternatives can help reduce demand for pangolin scales. Since TCM is rich in herbal options with similar claimed benefits (like ginger or turmeric for inflammation), highlighting these alternatives and making them widely available is an effective replacement strategy.
- Highlighting Success Stories with Alternatives: Sharing testimonials from users who successfully used alternatives can increase acceptance. For instance, media campaigns showing how herbal substitutes were used for similar symptoms with successful outcomes can help reshape consumer attitudes.
4. Strengthening Legal Protections and Enforcing Regulations
- Enforcing Existing Laws: Many countries, including China and Vietnam, have implemented strict laws against the trade of pangolin products. Ensuring these laws are enforced with stiff penalties for violators helps reduce availability.
- Working with Marketplaces and E-Commerce Platforms: Partnering with online platforms to ban the sale of pangolin scales or products containing them can help curb illegal trade. Several tech companies and online marketplaces already cooperate in monitoring and banning wildlife trafficking on their platforms.
5. Community-Based Conservation Programs
- Engaging Local Communities: Working with communities in areas where pangolins are found, as well as with those who depend on TCM, can help create local conservation champions. Communities are more likely to support wildlife protection if they understand the ecological and ethical importance of pangolins.
- Economic Incentives for Sustainable Practices: Programs that provide economic incentives to protect wildlife rather than poach can be effective. Community-driven eco-tourism or sustainable medicinal plant harvesting programs, for example, offer alternative livelihoods.
6. Youth Education and Cultural Shifts
- Incorporating Conservation in School Curriculums: Teaching children about conservation, endangered species, and ethical treatment of animals can foster a generation that values wildlife protection and moves away from outdated medicinal practices.
- Encouraging Cultural Shifts: Highlighting positive cultural values, such as environmental stewardship and animal protection, can gradually shift perspectives on wildlife use. Engaging young people on social media platforms and in environmental groups can foster a conservation-minded generation.
Success from Similar Campaigns
Other successful conservation efforts, such as those to reduce the demand for rhino horn and shark fins, show that changing consumer behavior is possible when strategies are well-coordinated and multifaceted. In Vietnam, for instance, rhino horn demand declined significantly through campaigns that combined education, alternative remedies, and legal enforcement.
Changing mindsets is complex, particularly when cultural beliefs are involved, but with consistent, community-based approaches, it’s possible to protect pangolins while respecting traditional practices by promoting sustainable, science-backed alternatives.
