Tigers are being killed for medicinal use

Question

Tigers are being killed for their bone so that they can be used in medicine.

Comments

After conducting research, and verifying the link provided, I found that this claim is correct. According to NCBI, Tiger bone is used in medicine. The article provided gives more context about this matter, and possible measures taken to use the bones. I also extended my search outside of the link provided, and found that Tigers have a role in traditional Chinese medicine.

https://www.dw.com/en/chinas-medicinal-tiger-bones-and-rhino-horns-tradition-or-travesty/a-46193315

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5307008/#:~:text=In%20traditional%20Chinese%20medicine%20(TCM,pain%20and%20convulsion%20%5B6%5D.

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After looking at 2 sources I found this title is true. From the Smithsonian article, I verified that tigers, " Are believed to cure toothaches and protect against malicious curses, among other maladies." The article says that Southeast Asian countries in particular use tiger and lion parts for medicine. Looking at another source, WorldAnimalProtection, said, "In China, more than two out of five people (40%) surveyed had used drugs or health products containing big cat products." Also providing more statistics showing the use of big cat products is mainstream in these other countries.

Answer 1

This is true. According to Mongabay News, “ Tiger parts have been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries.” The article also gives more background unto the history, and modern implications of Tiger Farming in China, including a gray area that exists within China’s “domestic law to ban the tiger bone trade and it is a signatory of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).”

https://news.mongabay.com/2010/06/tiger-farming-and-traditional-chinese-medicine/#:~:text=Tiger%20parts%20have%20been%20used,or%20used%20to%20sooth%20toothaches.

Comments

It would have been great if you added some context as to why tiger bone is sought after -- what is it actually used for? Curing cancer? Treating illnesses? Thanks!

Answer 2

This claim is true. Seaworld gives two reasons for poaching tigers: monetary gain or their threat/perceived threat to wildlife.

According to Lions, Tigers, and Bears, 

• "Bone: Some traditional Asian medicinal practices use tiger bone wine to treat ailments like arthritis, rheumatism, and back pain. Some cultures also incorporate whiskers and fat into the medicine.
• Skin: Tiger skin is used to make exotic and luxurious clothing, rugs, and other decorative items.
• Teeth and Claws: For creating jewelry pieces like necklaces, pendants, and bracelets, which were believed to possess protective or talismanic qualities.
• Whiskers: Used as talismans or charms in various cultures to bring good luck 
• Penis and testicles: Some cultures consume tiger genitals to enhance virility and sexual prowess. This belief led to the use of tiger genitals in traditional aphrodisiacs."

Additionally, "Over 110 pharmaceutical factories in 1985 were producing medicines with tiger components. The value of tiger bone varies by locality, however it is estimated that poachers receive about $130 per kilogram (2.2 pounds) in Nepal, $130 to $175 per kilogram in Vietnam and as much as $300 per kilogram in Russia (Seaworld).

Answer 3

This is true. According to research, tigers have been used in Chinese medicine for over 1,000 years. In their culture, tigers are known for their strength and mythical power which they believe "helps treat chronic ailments, cure disease and replenish the body’s essential energy," according to Tigers in Crisis. More specifically, their bones, whiskers and eyes are used to cure many diseases. 

"Many Asian communities believe that tiger bone, in powdered form or prepared as, “tiger wine,” soothes rheumatic pain and cures ulcers, malaria and burns," said Tigers in Crisis. 

According to the Smithsonian Magazine, in 2018 China reversed the ban on rhino and tiger bones being allowed to be used in medicine. Currently, it is only legal to be used on farmed tigers or rhinos. Due to the black market pushing for this change, many claim the reversal of this ban is disturbing and worrisome for the tiger species. 

https://tigersincrisis.com/traditional-chinese-medicine/#:~:text=For%20more%20than%201%2C000%20years%20the%20use%20of,cure%20disease%20and%20replenish%20the%20body%E2%80%99s%20essential%20energy.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/china-reverses-its-ban-use-rhino-and-tiger-parts-medicine-180970665/

Comments

I like your thorough fact-check! I would suggest specifying the "research" you're referring to in-text next time (re: paragraph #1).

Answer 4

An article posted on Google Scholar, Traditional Chinese Medicine Bionic Tiger Bone Powder for the Treatment of AI-Associated Musculoskeletal Symptoms, discusses how ground tiger bone was used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat chronic pain. However, it is important to note that tigers have since become protected animals so scientists have developed artificial tiger bone powder to replace natural tiger bone powder. Therefore, it is possible that this statement has some truth to it, but is misleading.  

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5307008/#:~:text=In%20traditional%20Chinese%20medicine%20(TCM,pain%20and%20convulsion%20%5B6%5D.

Answer 5

While in the same article it does reassure that since tigers are protected animals scientists are researching a bionic tiger bone powder method as a non-endangering alternative, many sites such as the world animal protection of the US does reaffirm that tigers and lions are even undergoing fates worst than death, "Before they’re killed and their body parts are used in traditional medicine, these wild animals are subjected to various forms of cruelty.  In China, huge industrial-style big cat farms have row upon row of tiny cells, each housing a miserable lion or tiger. These facilities provide only the minimum requirements for the cats to survive, such as food and water" (World Animal Protection US).

https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/latest/blogs/lions-tigers-farmed-traditional-medicine/

Answer 6

According to the National Library of Medicine, claims that tiger bones are being used for Chinese medicine and this is true. Since tigers are protected animals, scientists have developed tiger bone powder which is similar to natural tiger bone. A research done by Ethics Committee of Guang'anmen Hospital where 72 patients with 36 patients in each group. were assigned randomly tiger bone power being approved by China Food and Drug Administration. The research study group concluded that tiger bone is effective and also safe decreasing in the spread of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer women.