Shortly after China’s designation of ‘traditional Chinese medicine’ as a strategic industry, rhino poaching suddenly skyrocketed – and has not stopped.

In November 2005, the Chinese government declared “traditional Chinese medicine” (TCM) production to be a “strategic industry” – and in 2006, illegal rhino horn trade and rhino poaching began to escalate.

Is this merely an unfortunate coincidence – or does it further indicate China’s official involvement in the illegal rhino horn trade?

A recent report prepared for CITES by the IUCN/SSC, African and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups and TRAFFIC presents some very disturbing data when comparing illegal rhino killings during 2006 – 2009 to the previous span of 2000 – 2005.

The majority (69%) of illegally killed rhinos continue to be shot, with the percentage increasing when compared with data for the period 2000-2005. At the same time, the number of rhinos dying through snaring (primarily for bush meat) has markedly declined and seems to have been replaced by targeted poaching for horn with guns in most areas where snaring formally occurred. AK47 assault rifles and 303 calibre rifles have been the most commonly used weapons but, recently, heavier calibre arms (e.g. .375s and .458s) are now being used.

The result? 1,349 rhino horns lost to illegal trade during 2006 – 2009 compared to 664 horns lost from 2000-2005.

Of particular concern is Zimbabwe, which has seen an unprecedented increase in illegal rhino killings since 2006.

The poaching intensity data corroborate the alarmingly high and progressively worsening poaching situation in Zimbabwe since 2006, with 90% of all detected rhino mortalities in the country in 2009 representing poached animals …

The seriousness of the current situation in Zimbabwe is again evident in the fact that losses since 2006 represent 26% of the living rhino population .. and 89% of all black rhinos illegally killed in Africa since 2006. Provisional estimates suggest that Zimbabwe’s rhino population has declined by 14.7% since the end of 2007, with the bulk of the decline affecting black rhino (i.e. 546 dropping to 432).

Was rhino horn ‘promised’ to the Chinese in exchange for an ‘assortment of weapons’?

Could this be connected to warming relations between Zimbabwe and China? According to a sobering ZimEye article, there are certainly concerns regarding China’s intentions in Zimbabwe.

In exchange for F-1 jetfighters, vehicles and an assortment of weapons, Mugabe would give the Chinese platinum, lithium, aluminium, zinc and diamonds.

… Zimbabwe is now at the mercy of the Chinese, who now control most facets of business in the country.

Perhaps in addition to platinum, lithium, aluminum, zinc, and diamonds, China was promised rhino horn. Such a deal makes allegations of Mnangagwa’s direct involvement with Chinese nationals placing “orders” for rhino horn seem increasingly plausible.

$130 million in 2007

The Wall Street Journal noted in September 2007 that the Chinese government announced an unprecedented $130 million budget for “traditional Chinese medicine.”

The plan, released by 16 government agencies, will dedicate nearly $130 million to improve testing methods, expand clinical research and develop globally recognized standards for TCM treatments, and this funding represents more than five times the previous year’s budget.

The project marks a fresh stab at a long-term ambition initiated more than 50 years ago by Chairman Mao Zedong: to integrate Western and Eastern medicine and to build international confidence in TCM.

Is it possible that part of the $130 million made its way to unscrupulous Zimbabwean officials in exchange for access to rhino horn – and the promise of no convictions, if caught?

After all, Zimbabwe’s conviction rate for rhino poachers has been less than 3%.

Of the 41 people who were arrested, only six people from three separate cases were actually convicted, three of whom were foreign nationals from Zambia and Angola who received 18-year prison terms. One Zimbabwean was sentenced to five years in prison, and two Zimbabweans were each given 12 months in jail. Overall, this represents a conviction rate of less than 3%.

All other individuals were either acquitted, released on bail, subsequently absconded or otherwise evaded prosecution, including cases involving signed confessions, repeat offenders and individuals in possession of illegal firearms and rhino horns. Press reports have called into question the ability of Zimbabwe’s judiciary to act prudently, as well as the performance of those involved with investigations and prosecutions.

Allegations of high ranking government officials in illicit rhino horn trade have also been reported.

And in November 2009, several sources reported that rhino horn was worth more than gold.

Violating international law in plain sight

The illegal rhino horn trade is not being carried out by a handful of skulking thugs selling their wares in dark alleys or “crack house” setups. Shockingly (or perhaps not so), the illegal rhino horn trade is a thriving business sector operating within the massive Chinese pharmaceutical industry.

Rhino horn, tiger bone, bear bile, and pangolin scales are prepared and marketed as actual “medicines” – the name of the manufacturers are in plain sight on the product packaging: Sichuan Provincial Pharmaceutical Works, Tientsin Drug Manufactory, Kwangchow Pharmaceutical Industry Corp., etc.

Not wanting to attract the attention of wildlife conservationists, the “strategic industry” announcement made in the Asia Times Online (November 17, 2005) mentioned only “medicinal herbs” and predictably included no references to rhinos or tigers or bears or pangolins.

China is a signatory of CITES – yet refuses to comply. Perhaps subjecting the Chinese pharmaceutical industry to international scrutiny regarding its refusal to adhere to CITES regulations is an inspection that is long overdue.

Sources:

• African and Asian Rhinoceroses – Status, Conservation and Trade available for download at CITES. (November 20, 2009)
• Animal Investigators: How the World’s First Wildlife Forensics Lab is Solving Crimes and Saving Endangered Species by Laurel A. Neme, Ph.D.
• Eastern Medicine Goes West, The Wall Street Journal (September 14,2007)
• Traditional Medicine Designated Strategic Sector, Asia Times Online (November 15, 2005)

Image 1: Wikimedia Commons
Image 2: Traditional Asian Medicine Identification Guide for Law Enforcers: Version II (TRAFFIC)