Why does illegal harvesting of toad venom trigger criminal penalties, and how does this impact the legal supply of cinobufagin?

Why does illegal harvesting of toad venom trigger criminal penalties, and how does this impact the legal supply of cinobufagin?
The recent criminal cases involving the capture of over a hundred toads for venom extraction highlight a tightening regulatory environment for cinobufagin raw material. Wild toads are classified as protected 'three-have' animals in China, making unauthorized harvesting a criminal offense. This legal pressure is constraining an already limited supply chain. Each toad yields only 0.1-0.2 grams of venom per collection, and professional harvesting is restricted to a May-September window using specific non-ferrous tools. With legal supply constrained and processing requiring specialized expertise, the market has seen steady price appreciation. Pharmacopoeia-grade cinobufagin with 7.0% toxin content has risen from around 65,000 RMB/kg in late 2023 to 75,000-85,000 RMB/kg by mid-2024, reflecting both regulatory risk premiums and genuine supply scarcity.