'It's against nature': illegal wildlife trade casts shadow over traditional Chinese medicine

Experts warn the exploitation of endangered animals such as pangolin and tiger is tarnishing the industry

Supporters and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have warned that the discipline is threatened by those who continue to trade in endangered animals.

The small segment of the TCM community that insists on using endangered animal parts in the pharmaceutical side of TCM, ignoring welfare considerations and the idea of respecting biodiversity, could destroy its reputation for good, they argue.