Chinese Zoo sells tiger urine for ₹600 as remedy for rheumatism, faces backlash

The Yaan Bifengxia Wildlife Zoo in Sichuan province, southwestern China, is selling Siberian tiger urine as a treatment for ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, muscle pain, and sprains. The zoo is offering 250g bottles of urine for 50 yuan (approximately ₹600) each, with claims that the product has therapeutic effects when mixed with white wine and applied to the affected areas using ginger slices. The zoo also suggests that the urine can be consumed orally, with a disclaimer that it should be discontinued in case of allergic reactions.

The urine is collected from a designated basin where the tigers urinate. Staff members at the zoo confirmed that the collection method involves gathering the urine directly from these basins. However, the process of whether the urine undergoes any sanitation or disinfection before being sold remains unclear. There is no public information available on the sterilization or purification steps, if any, involved in the preparation of the urine for sale. Despite the unusual offering, sales have been relatively low, with fewer than two bottles sold per day.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long used animal-derived products, such as tiger bones, to treat various ailments. However, experts have raised concerns about the use of tiger urine as a remedy. A pharmacist from Hubei Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that tiger urine is not a recognized component of traditional Chinese medical practices and has no documented therapeutic value. The pharmacist also expressed concerns about the potential harm of promoting such unverified remedies, which could distort the understanding of traditional medicine.

In addition to medical concerns, the sale of tiger urine raises significant ethical issues, particularly with respect to wildlife conservation. Tigers are an endangered species, and their bones, organs, and other body parts have been banned for use in traditional Chinese medicine by the Chinese government. The use of tiger-derived products has been linked to illegal poaching and trafficking, leading to concerns that the sale of tiger urine could contribute to these illegal activities. However, there is no clear evidence to suggest that the zoo is involved in the illegal trade of tigers or their body parts.

The zoo maintains that it operates with a valid business license, but it is not clear whether this license includes permission to sell medicinal products. The sale of medicinal items in China is regulated by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), and all products intended for medicinal use must undergo approval and testing before being marketed. There is no indication that the zoo has obtained the necessary regulatory approvals for selling tiger urine as a therapeutic product. Without such approvals, the sale of the product may violate Chinese health and safety laws.

The sale of tiger urine at the Yaan Bifengxia Wildlife Zoo highlights ongoing debates surrounding the regulation of traditional remedies, the conservation of endangered species, and consumer safety. Despite the zoo's claims, the lack of scientific evidence supporting the medicinal use of tiger urine and the potential risks to both health and wildlife underscore the need for greater oversight in the sale of animal-derived products for medicinal purposes. As of now, the zoo's practice remains controversial, with no clear resolution regarding the safety and legality of selling tiger urine as a health remedy.