The new coronavirus emerged from the global wildlife trade – and may be devastating enough to end it

COVID-19 is one of countless emerging infectious diseases that are zootic, meaning y originate in animals.

When se diseases spill over to humans, cause frequently is human behaviors, including habitat destruction and multibillion-dollar international wildlife tre – latter being

COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments to impose severe restrictions, such as social distancing, that will have massive ecomic costs. But re has been less discussion about identifying and changing behaviors that contribute to emergence of zootic diseases. As a

As many Americans w kw, COVID-19 coronavirus is one of a family of coronaviruses

virus’s spillover to humans is believed to have occurred in a

current outbreak is just latest example of viruses jumping from animals to humans. HIV is perhaps most infamous example: It

Tre in wildlife has decimated populations and species for millennia and is one of

My own work focuses on African and Asian elephants, which are severely threatened by wildlife tre. Demand for elephant ivory has caused deaths of

Conservationists have been working for years to end wildlife tre or enforce strict regulations to ensure that it is conducted in ways that

For example, conservation organizations estimate that more than 100 rangers

wildlife tre’s disease implications have received less popular attention over past dece. This may be because bushmeat tre and consumption targets less-charismatic species, provides a key protein source in some communities and is a driver of ecomic activity in some remote rural areas.

In China, wild animal sales and consumption are deeply embedded culturally and represent an influential ecomic sector. Chinese authorities see m as a key revenue generator for impoverished rural communities, and have promoted national policies that

In 2002-2003, severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS – a disease caused by a zootic coronavirus transmitted through live wildlife markets – emerged in China and

In response, Chinese government enacted strict regulations designed to end wildlife tre and its associated risks. But policies later were weakened under cultural and ecomic pressure.

w repercussions from COVID-19 pandemic are driving faster, stronger reforms. China has anunced a

Conservation scientists are hearing rumors that wildlife markets on China’s borders – which often sell endangered species whose sale is banned within China – are collapsing as spre of coronavirus cuts into tourism and related commerce. Similarly, re are reports that in Africa, tre in pangolin and or wildlife products

However, I worry that se changes won’t last. Chinese government has alrey stated that its initial bans on

This is t sufficient. In my view, terminating damaging and dangerous tre in wildlife will require concerted global pressure on governments that allow it, plus internal campaigns to help end demand that drives such tre. Without cultural change, likely outcomes will be relaxed bans or an expansion of

Africa has borne greatest costs from illegal wildlife tre, which has ravd its natural resources and fueled insecurity. A pandemic-driven global recession and cessation of tourism will drastically reduce income in wildlife-related industries.

On top of this, if COVID-19 spres across continent, Africa could also suffer major losses of human life from a pandemic that could have started in an illegally tred African pangolin.

Like or disasters, COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to implement solutions that will ultimately benefit humans and planet. I hope one result is that nations join toger to end costly tre and consumption of wildlife.

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