Not Just Wuhan's Wet Markets, Illegal Wildlife Trade Is A Thriving Business Too, Time We End It

Wildlife, including animals, birds, and reptiles have been illegally hunted and killed by humans for many years, some for their flesh, skin, organs, horns, black magic, supposed medicinal values, and much more, driving many species to extinction or on the brink of it.

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While this has been happening around the world for a long time, there is a newfound awareness about this illegal practice now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is believed that the COVID-19 outbreak began from a wet market in Wuhan, China notorious for its illegal wildlife trade.

A large section of the scientific community believes that the coronavirus which originated in bats got transmitted to humans from an intermediary, which they believe is the pangolin.

AFP

China has been the biggest market for almost all kinds of illegal wildlife, dead or alive and pangolins are one of the most trafficked animals in the world. Until it was shut following the COVID-19 outbreak, pangolins were available in plenty in the wet markets of Wuhan.

AFP

Though China still refuses to come clean in on the thriving illegal wildlife trade in the country, around the globe there is a growing chorus to end the practice for good.

It is not just the meat is being traded in these markets. Another major component that drives the demand for illegal wildlife products is traditional Chinese medicine.

AFP

Despite having been scientifically proven that they do not have any medicinal value, items like rhino horns are one of the hottest commodities in the illegal wildlife trade.

Others like bears captured and farmed in poor conditions for their bile. The conditions on the farms leave them susceptible to diseases that can then be transferred to people in close proximity.

AFP

Others like snakes, parrots, iguanas, lizards, tortoises, and even otters are captured and traded as exotic pets around the world.

Animal rights group World Animal Protection has launched a campaign urging G20 leaders to support a permanent wildlife trade ban to protect wildlife and prevent future zoonotic pandemics. Wildlife trade has become big business and the subsequent exploitation of wild animals puts our health, economies and biodiversity at risk.

BCCL

¡°Cruel multi-billion-dollar businesses have been exploiting wild animals on an industrial global scale and we are now all seeing the true cost of that. This pandemic isn¡¯t just about wild animals being sold for food. It¡¯s much bigger than that, it¡¯s about greed and the commodification of wild animals at every level," Steve McIvor, CEO at World Animal Protection said.

¡°If we learn anything from this situation, it is that we need to leave wild animals where they belong, in the wild. We all have a responsibility to make a shift in our behaviour and attitudes towards animals that could save the lives of millions of people, animals and our economies.

AFP

¡°Some measures are being taken at national level, but there is a need for a coordinated global action. We urgently need to persuade the G20 to take steps towards implementing a global wildlife ban to protect us from future pandemics,¡± he said.

As part of the campaign, international animal welfare charity, World Animal Protection is asking the Prime Minister of India, who will represent the country at the G20 summit, to support the call for a global ban on wildlife trade forever.

AFP

¡°The need for a global ban on wildlife trade is urgent and extremely important. What we are witnessing with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is the result of human exploiting wild animals for their gains. This must stop now. The Prime Minister of India understands the importance of wildlife preservation and has supported animal welfare issues in the past. Now as he prepares to represent India at the G20 summit, we appeal to Shri. Narendra Modi to give his support to the call for an end to wildlife trade forever,¡± said Gajender K Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection India.

According to estimates, the global illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth $7-23 billion a year.