Besides creating public awareness, the main objective was to get the authorities -- i.e. China State Forestry Administration to commit to stronger action against the illegal wildlife trade. However, this was a big challenge as China is a country that is not known for wildlife conservation or environment protection.

The team engaged a contemporary Chinese artist to highlight the plight of the rapidly vanishing species. He specializes in drawing calligraphy paintings using water, on pavement. This style of painting is very much practiced in China, and is often found outdoors in parks and town squares. Together with the team, he took to the streets of Shanghai and created a series of ephemeral "8-minute animals", painted with water. Because when the public start gathering on the streets, the Chinese government pays close attention to what's happening.

The objective was met, as the China State Forestry Administration saw the '8-minute Animals' campaign. The authorities were moved by the paintings and communicated to WWF-TRAFFIC that they will table stronger measures against illegal wildlife trade in their 2014 National Agenda. To date, all Chinese passengers on outbound flights are sent text messages warning against buying illicit wildlife goods, with more arrests being made against wildlife smugglers and contraband products seized.