Turtles and Tortoises Disappearing into Soup Pots of China

Back to Map Page May, 1999 Turtle soup is a prized dish in China, traditionally regarded as a source of health and longevity. But recent economic trends threaten the health and longevity of turtle populations across Asia. The New York Times reported in May that turtles are disappearing across the region, and ending up in the soup pots of China. Turtle shells, bones, blood, and other body parts are also prized as medicines for ills ranging from impotence to cancer. Historically Southeast Asia has been a region rich in turtle and tortoise diversity, but now many areas are nearly empty of all species. Asian turtles like this box turtle are being increasingly being traded internationally, and illegally. Economic conditions frequently play a primary role in endangered species survival. In this case, Chinese prosperity supports a newly envigorated restaurant market for prized turtles, monkeys, fish, cats, and many other types of wildlife. At the same time economic downturns throughout southeast Asia have raised the stakes in the endangered species export game. In some cases a single rare turtle can bring in six times a rural family's normal annual income. Consequently areas of Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia that were rich in turtle numbers and diversity a decade ago are nearly devoid of turtles today. Many cultures prizes rare and endangered species at the dinner table, but Chinese culinary tastes are broader, and now their economic position is stronger, than in many other countries. Accurate numbers are impossible to produce, but Traffic, a program monitoring trade in wildlife, reported that 240 tons of turtles (about 200,000 individuals) were leaving Vietnam each year by 1994, with as much as four times that number leaving Cambodia in 1996. Among the turtles now traded in the Chinese food markets are species listed as threatened or endangered in the United Nations' Convention on International Trade in Endangered Secies (CITES). Also found in the markets and restaurants are unknown species that have not even been described yet by scientists. Turtles are also leaving the United States for China, according to Traffic and the New York Times. In 1995 about 150,000 turtles were shipped from American shores, a number that biologists fear will significantly reduce wild populations here. There is no known way to stop the flow of endangered species through the free, often unmonitored and illegal, markets of Asia. Consumption of rare and endangered species is a traditional mark of status in China, and conservationists are at a loss to alter this tradition as economic prosperity brings more biological resources available in the region. Similar reports have surfaced concerning other types of wildlife, including monkeys, birds, reptiles, and fish. North American turtles are also being captured illegally and unsustainably for Asian food markets in the U.S. (see below) To read more, see Environmental Science, A Global Concern, Cunningham and Saigo, 5th ed. Human-caused reductions in biodiversity: p. 276-83 International wildlife treaties: p. 289 Map of megadiversity regions: p. 272 Environmental Science, a Study of Interrelationships, Enger and Smith, 6th ed. International organizations to prevent extinctions: p. 209-10 China's ravenous appetite: p. 265 For further information, see these related web sites: Traffic home page Traffic report on trade in wildlife in Central Asia CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) home page IUCN (World Conservation Union) home page Back to Map Page feedback form | permissions | international | locate your campus rep | request a review copy digital solutions | publish with us | customer service | mhhe home Copyright ©2001 The McGraw-Hill Companies. Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of the The McGraw-Hill Companies.