Demand for rhino horn has driven a sharp rise in poaching over the last decade. Current conservation efforts have been unable to halt this rhino poaching crisis, which threatens the survival of these species. An understanding of why people consume rhino horn, the context and preferences behind such use, and the effectiveness of existing conservation measures is necessary for us to make informed policy decisions.

The medicinal use of products derived from animals is an essential and deeply-rooted part of many cultures in Asia. Rhino horn has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Although researchers have repeatedly emphasized the need for more research on rhino horn demand, limited insight has been sought from the TCM community thus far, particularly in China. Evaluating the effectiveness of conservation policies like trade bans is now more pressing than ever, given Beijing’s 2018 announcement that it intends to reopen its domestic trade in rhino horn.

To gain insight into the medicinal use of rhino horn in China, we interviewed TCM practitioners and conducted a survey of TCM users in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong.