Pangolins, found to carry coronavirus strains, still being used in China
Pangolins
The Chinesegovernment is still allowing the use ofpangolin scales for traditional medicine despite pledging to protect the world's most trafficked wild mammal.
Pangolins are covered with a layer of scales, which are designed to protect them against predators. The scales are highly coveted by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, while pangolin meat has been seen as a delicacyfor China's wealthy elite.The species is now on the brink of extinction.
Areportby the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) titled ''China's complicity in global illegal pangolin trade'' reveals online sales platforms such as eBay and Taobao continue to advertise pangolin products, while major pharmaceutical companies, including the leading China Beijing Tong Ren Tang Group, offer similar items directly on their websites.
As per the research,221 companies had been licensed to sell items containing pangolin scales, which appeared as an ingredient in 64 different products.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Iran uses 'dancing missile' Sejjil against US-Israel: What makes it different?
)
Dubai police warn of SIM swap scam as fraudsters target citizens posing as ‘Crisis Officials’ amid conflict
)
Indian Navy warships deployed near Persian Gulf, on standby to assist merchant vessels: Report
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Divine punishment in Iran': Why Mojtaba Khamenei’s secret amputation reports in Russia could legally end his reign
)
Your garbage, not mine: Thailand to return 284 tonnes of e-waste to America
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How long does a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder last in an Indian household?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Weapon will be used immediately...’: North Korea sends BIG message to US amid West Asia war, conducts drills with 600mm rocket launchers
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Netanyahu’s 'five finger' cafe video to quash death rumours sparks new AI claims; coffee shop shares PROOF he was there
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'The PM is...': Netanyahu’s office debunks 'fake news' over his whereabouts
)
Archaeologists find unexpected structure hiding for 2,000 years 7,000 feet high in Swiss Alps
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Lost one leg': Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei secretly flown to Russia for surgery, says report
)
India is unlikely to be part of any multinational coalition on Strait of Hormuz
)
'As a sincere friend...': China responds after Trump urges countries to send warships to secure Strait of Hormuz
The watchdog group said this revealed major loopholes in China’s regulations that needed to be closed if the government is serious about protecting endangered wildlife.
The novel coronavirus possibly emerged from a combination of genetic shuffling and evolutionary selection of genes among specific bat and pangolin viruses before it reached humans, according to research.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pangolin scales are believed to promote blood circulation, remove stasis, and diminish inflammation.
China had vowed toremovepangolins from its official 2020 listing of traditional Chinese medicine. The move cameshortly after the Chinese forestry authority gave pangolins the highest level of protection in the country.
As many as200,000 pangolins are consumed each yearin Asia for their scales and meat and more than 130 tonnes of scales, live and dead animals were seized in cross-border trafficking busts last year, a figure estimated to represent up to 400,000 animals, according to conservation group WildAid.