article_snippet.sent: It is often believed that  the more endangered the animal is, the greater the healing affect the animal will have.
article_snippet.sent: With a history of more than 2,000 years, TCM has acquired a list in excess of 1,500 animals, many of which are endangered .
article_snippet.sent: The greatest defense of animal rights to date was during the SARS outbreak in 2003 when consumption dropped due to public fears about the risk of contracting SARS from wild animals.
article_snippet.sent: The demand for civet cats decreased so much that 141 farms released 4,000 of the animals into the wild. 
article_snippet.sent: Bird flu later added to this concerns.
article_snippet.sent: Sun, a veteran snake seller at Qingping, said Huangsha Market sell fewer protected species than before because many animals are near extinction and government checks are tighter.
article_snippet.sent: However, he did admit to selling endangered species 'under the table' including Cobra. '
article_snippet.sent: Banners reading 'no consuming, no killing' in English and Chinese, caught widespread media coverage from local news channels.
article_snippet.sent: Caged Iguanas shortly before being freed by members of South China Nature Society which is campaigning to stop .