Low pangolin consumption in Hong Kong pre- and post- the COVID-19 outbreak: Conservation and health concerns both contribute to people’s attitudes

Zhang, Zheng; Bonebrake, Timothy C.; Xing, Shuang; Dingle, Caroline; Ho, Iris; Andersson, Astrid Alexandra

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02107

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 33 publications

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“…In contrast to the gecko trade, no active pangolin medicine trade was reported in our study which is consistent with a previous study in Hong Kong looking at pangolin consumption behavior (Zhang et al, 2022). More importantly, this absence of pangolin use is significant as it shows that TCM healthcare remains prevalent locally without relying on pangolin scales.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Sustainability of medicinal animal products: Tokay geckos and pangolin scales as traditional Chinese medicine

Wang,

Dufour,

Yeung

et al. 2023

Integrative Conservation

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes animal products derived from hundreds of species. For some species, such as the pangolins (family Manidae), demand from the medicinal trade has been recognized as a major threat and is under strict regulations to conserve declining endangered populations. In parallel, species such as the tokay gecko (Gekko gecko and Gekko reevesii) have only recently attracted conservation attention due to the high volumes in trade despite an apparently still abundant wild population. In this study, we collected market data to assess the trade in pangolin (illegal trade) and tokay gecko (legal trade) medicinal products. We also collect general public's attitude toward the trade and their understanding on the medicinal use of high‐profile endangered species (pangolins) and less well‐known species (tokay gecko) in Hong Kong. We interviewed a total of 169 shops/clinics and 153 members of the public. We found that tokay gecko was sold in 59% of the surveyed outlets. We estimate that trade volume may reach as many as 0.2 million individuals per year in Hong Kong. The substantial demand for tokay gecko products estimated in this study underscores the urgent need for a thorough assessment of trade sustainability and continuous monitoring of the wild population status of gecko species. In contrast, pangolin scale products were rarely reported, and there was a high level of awareness among sellers regarding the illegality of such products. Our public survey revealed that awareness of the legal status of these products was the most influential factor shaping public choice to support the trade and consequently consume the products. Therefore, setting up legal protection status and enhancing public awareness about the legality of wildlife trade are essential steps toward responsible consumption and conservation. Furthermore, support for the use of alternatives among TCM practitioners presents a promising avenue. This highlights the opportunity to transiting trade toward sustainably sourced alternatives while respecting the traditions associated with TCM.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Sustainability of medicinal animal products: Tokay geckos and pangolin scales as traditional Chinese medicine

Wang,

Dufour,

Yeung

et al. 2023

Integrative Conservation

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Messaging with appeal to intrinsic or relational values shows potential to shift demand for wildlife as pets

Marshall,

Collar,

Lees

et al. 2024

People and Nature

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Overharvesting of wildlife for trade is a key driver of biodiversity loss. Messaging that is aligned with people's values could play a significant role in reducing this impact through behaviour change. Using an online survey, we sought to gauge the willingness among bird hobbyists, breeders, and song contestants to change their bird‐keeping behaviours, and to identify barriers to such change. We then evaluated the persuasiveness of various messages that potentially align with people's values (e.g. addressing conservation, cultural and health considerations), each framed as positive or negative, and with outcomes involving a move to commercially bred birds or cessation of purchasing wild‐caught birds. We identified a degree of plasticity in behaviour, with most respondents perceiving the keeping of wild‐caught birds to be a conservation problem, and a majority claiming they would attempt to breed birds in the future. However, while most respondents acknowledged the illegality of both buying and catching wild birds, they also recognised that most birds in markets are wild‐caught because they are easier and cheaper to source than captive‐bred birds. Messages about the damage done by over‐exploitation to wild bird populations, to the future of bird‐keeping itself, and about the benefits of keeping captive‐bred over wild‐caught birds, were most effective. Messages about generational, legal and especially health concerns appeared to gain little traction. The persuasiveness of these messages varied little across bird‐keeping groups, but age‐ and user‐groups differed in their most trusted sources of information and the media they consulted. Our results suggest that appealing to people's concern over the intrinsic value of wildlife or the relational value of cultural heritage might be more effective at shifting demand for wildlife products than more instrumental or utilitarian considerations. Effective messaging should focus on the negative impacts of over‐exploitation on Indonesia's wildlife and/or national heritage, and on the positive aspects of sustainable captive‐bred alternatives, and be transmitted via multiple media, including local and faith leaders (choice varying geographically), to maximise outreach to the diverse bird‐keeping community. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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An examination of the trade in bear parts and derivatives for traditional medicine in Hong Kong and its legality

Gomez,

Chan,

Cheung

et al. 2024

Eur J Wildl Res

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Low pangolin consumption in Hong Kong pre- and post- the COVID-19 outbreak: Conservation and health concerns both contribute to people’s attitudes

Cited by 6 publications

References 33 publications

Sustainability of medicinal animal products: Tokay geckos and pangolin scales as traditional Chinese medicine

Sustainability of medicinal animal products: Tokay geckos and pangolin scales as traditional Chinese medicine

Messaging with appeal to intrinsic or relational values shows potential to shift demand for wildlife as pets

An examination of the trade in bear parts and derivatives for traditional medicine in Hong Kong and its legality

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