WASHINGTON, DC --- The high demand for natural musk as an
ingredient in medicines and perfumes is endangering wild populations of musk deer, according to a new report released today by TRAFFIC, the wildlife conservation trade monitoring program of World Wildlife Fund and IUCN -- The World Conservation Union. Musk derives from male musk deer and is one of the most expensive natural products with a retail value
three to five times higher than that for gold.
Musk deer live in 13 countries in Asia and in the eastern parts of Russia and they are declining in practically all countries where they occur. In Russia, experts believe the number of musk deer has plummeted by around 50 percent in the past 10 years because of over-hunting to meet international demand for natural musk.
The new report, On the Scent -- Conserving Musk Deer -- The Uses of Musk in Europe's Role in its Trade by TRAFFIC Europe, documents how 52 countries participate in the trade. Russia acts as a major supplier of raw musk, while European countries such as France, Germany, and Switzerland are significant importers. Germany and Switzerland are suppliers of raw musk mainly from the former Soviet Union and Russia to Hong Kong, South Korea and other destinations.
Increasing consumer awareness about conservation concerns and increasing the use of alternatives are two essential steps necessary to reduce the use of natural musk, said Simon Habel, Director of TRAFFIC -- North America. "The amount of raw musk legally imported in Europe over the past two decades represents the loss of tens of thousands of wild musk deer and imports appear to be increasing. This report is a wake up call about a markedly declining animal population."
Concerned about the evidence of over-exploitation, including information provided by TRAFFIC, the countries of the European Union are in the process of suspending imports of wild musk deer products from Russia until stronger safeguards are in place.
Musk secreted from the scent pods of male musk deer has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicines in Asia. Today, there are more than 300 pharmaceutical preparations containing musk in traditional Asian medicine, used to treat a variety of ailments relating to the heart, nerves and breathing. This study also found a limited trade in natural musk for homeopathic medicine in Europe.
In Europe, Asian medicines claiming to contain musk have been seized in Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands and UK as they lacked permits needed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Illicit trade has also occurred in raw musk in Russia, and in France for the perfume industry.
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