<p>Vietnamese police have discovered around 2,000 dead cats intended for use in traditional medicine, state media said Friday.</p>.<p>The bodies of the felines were found at a slaughterhouse in Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta on Thursday, together with 480 live animals, according to the official provincial newspaper.</p>.<p>The cats were in cold storage and believed to be destined for northern Vietnam.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/are-your-cats-fighting-or-playing-scientists-analysed-cat-videos-to-figure-out-the-difference-1185432.html" target="_blank">Are your cats fighting or playing? Scientists analysed cat videos to figure out the difference</a></strong></p>.<p>Some in Vietnam believe that extracts from cat bones can help cure conditions such as asthma and osteoporosis.</p>.<p>It is estimated that up to a million cats fall victim to the illegal wildlife trade every year in Vietnam, according to animal welfare organisation Four Paws International.</p>.<p>Consumption of dogs and cats is legal in the country. Many restaurants serve the meat but need certificates to show the origin of the animals.</p>.<p>The slaughterhouse in Dong Thap failed to provide paperwork authorising the killings and detailing traceability.</p>.<p>No one has been arrested in the case so far.</p>.<p>The traditional medicine industry is a major driver of the illegal wildlife trade in Asia, and Vietnam is both a consumption and transport hub.</p>
<p>Vietnamese police have discovered around 2,000 dead cats intended for use in traditional medicine, state media said Friday.</p>.<p>The bodies of the felines were found at a slaughterhouse in Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta on Thursday, together with 480 live animals, according to the official provincial newspaper.</p>.<p>The cats were in cold storage and believed to be destined for northern Vietnam.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/are-your-cats-fighting-or-playing-scientists-analysed-cat-videos-to-figure-out-the-difference-1185432.html" target="_blank">Are your cats fighting or playing? Scientists analysed cat videos to figure out the difference</a></strong></p>.<p>Some in Vietnam believe that extracts from cat bones can help cure conditions such as asthma and osteoporosis.</p>.<p>It is estimated that up to a million cats fall victim to the illegal wildlife trade every year in Vietnam, according to animal welfare organisation Four Paws International.</p>.<p>Consumption of dogs and cats is legal in the country. Many restaurants serve the meat but need certificates to show the origin of the animals.</p>.<p>The slaughterhouse in Dong Thap failed to provide paperwork authorising the killings and detailing traceability.</p>.<p>No one has been arrested in the case so far.</p>.<p>The traditional medicine industry is a major driver of the illegal wildlife trade in Asia, and Vietnam is both a consumption and transport hub.</p>