For the last of our big cats, there is no safe place

Modern marvels

Recent medical breakthroughs have produced excellent, mind-blowing discoveries such as facial transplants, bionic eyes, and 3D-printed body pieces.

People live longer and are more likely to survive, and many cures exist for many diseases. Modern medicine has many benefits, but ancient remedies remain popular in Asia.

Traditional medicine

Traditional medicine based on plants has existed for many years and will continue for many more. Many herbal remedies have been proven curative and are very popular in many countries.

It is a great thing to have the ability to choose which treatment works best for you.

A huge industry

The traditional Asian medicine industry is valued at U SD$50-USD$1201 billion globally. The World Health Organisation (WHO) supported traditional medicine despite widespread criticism.

Unfortunately, many traditional practices are cruel to wild animals and cause great suffering.

Tradition’s dark side

Traditional Asian medicine is based upon a completely different concept than modern medicine. It has about 2,000 years of history and is extremely important to many people.

Many remedies don’t use wild animal products and are often entirely non-animal. However, some do, and it is affordable for wildlife.

Bears spend their whole lives in tiny cages, with their bile painfully removed from their abdomens.

The last remaining rhinos are being brutally murdered and their horns chopped off

Pangolins are captured and killed to sell their scales on the black market

Poaching and farming for bones, lions, and tigers are some big cats being poached.

It is unnecessary. There are many synthetic and plant-based options for these products’ conditions.

The global threat to big cats

Over the past century, significant cat populations have fallen into insignificance. The 4,000 mark is the limit for wild tigers. There are only 20,000 remaining wild lions – a decrease of about 250,000 in the past century.

These declines are mainly due to habitat loss, hunting, and conflicts between humans and wildlife. But another danger is the expanding market for their body parts. It is now a global problem because demand for their body parts exceeds supply in Asia.

Jaguars in Suriname

We revealed last year that jaguars in South America are being poached from their wild habitat in Suriname.

The carcasses of the animals are reduced to a paste and then smuggled into China with tubs. This is done to treat similar ailments as tiger products.

South Africa’s Lions

South Africa’s lion cubs can be walked with lions at tourist locations and peddled. They are then used to ‘canned hunt,’ where the hunters pay large sums for a guaranteed kill.

The bones of the lions are then taken and exported to Asia. This is legal in South Africa. In 2018, South Africa exported 1,500 lion skeletons.

Tigers in China

More than 6 000 tigers are believed to live in China’s factory-style farms. This is far higher than the wild population. They are kept in concrete, cramped enclosures and cannot behave naturally.

They are forced to perform tricks on tourists and then drink tonics and wines made with bones from their ancestors. This is exploitation at its worst and cruelest.

Big cat farms are not suitable for wildlife conservation

It is often believed that big cat farms reduce pressure on wild animals. This belief is false. Our latest study revealed that great cat products made from feral cats are preferred to farm. Nearly nine out of ten Vietnamese and more than half the Chinese consumers confirmed this.

Farms are cruel and should be stopped. They also encourage the poaching of wild animals and the market growth for these products.

It’s an uphill struggle

Although we try to save these animals as much as possible, it isn’t easy. Remember that China banned domestic trade in rhino horns or tiger bones 25 years ago. This gave these fantastic animals a vital lifeline.

The ban was lifted at the end of last year to allow medical treatment for farmed tiger parts. This would have a reversal of years of progress. We are concerned that this temporary measure will be put on hold, even though it has been.

Not medicine

Whether taken from the Amazon, the plains, or Africa, big cats are wildlife, not medicine.

We, our supporters, and many others agree that these fantastic animals deserve wild life and belong in it.

These animals do not have a voice, so we must speak out. Because time is running out, we must urge the world to take action now to protect these animals.