Too high a price. Illegal wildlife trade. Which countries buy illegal animal products? What animal products are bought on the illegal wildlife market? It is an illicit market worth as much as 10 billion dollars a year. They are majestic animals -- and endangered. But they are slaughtered for their body parts, which in some countries are said to have medicinal powers. Rhino horn costs 60 thousand dollars a kilogram, and is boiled and drunk to cure headaches. Bear gall balder cost about that much in South Korea, for treating heart and liver disease. Taiwanese pay more for raw bear bile, used against inflammation through synthetic versions work just as well. Other countries pay much less. While the Japanese pay the most. The Chinese are big consumers of leopard and tiger bones. And everything else. In Cambodia and Vietnam the items are status symbols. Despite a ban, elephant ivory is sold for thousands. Or less. The most expensive parts cost more than gold or cocaine. And though many countries including China and Japan have banned the trade, the values suggest it will continue. For more video content from The Economist visit our website: econ.st/1oGBW2t

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