WILDLIFE & CORONAVIRUS

Born Free firmly believes the commercial trade in wild animals must be curbed, and that wildlife markets, particularly those dealing in live animals, must close.

Born Free has long campaigned against the commercial trade in wild animals, in order to protect wildlife in the wild, prevent exploitation and end the suffering of millions of animals.

The coronavirus pandemic, and its devastating impacts on the lives of people and the global economy, has brought home the risks that commercial wildlife trade and consumption also pose to human society. The warning signs have been there for years, but we have failed to learn from past mistakes. We cannot afford to do so again.

As the world looks to recover from covid-19, a return to business as usual cannot be an option. Born Free is calling on the World Health Organisation and other key agencies to work with governments, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to secure a safer and healthier future for wildlife and people alike.

NEWS & ARTICLES

FIVE WAYS TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE POST-PANDEMIC

The coronavirus pandemic is a bitter lesson for us to respect nature. We can make the world a better place for both humans and wildlife, but we can’t go back to ‘business as normal’.

Here's five ways we can make the world a better place post-coronavirus.

WATCH

HOW DO WE PREVENT FUTURE PANDEMICS?

We are calling for a global ban on wildlife markets to protect human and animal health, but what work are we doing to make this a reality?

HOW TO BAN WILDLIFE MARKETS?

We are calling for a global ban on wildlife markets to protect human and animal health. But, there is no silver bullet solution to a ban.

HOW WILL CORONAVIRUS AFFECT CONSERVATION?

Covid-19 is predominantly seen as a human health crisis, but its impact is wide-reaching. Conservation efforts are suffering, and this may persist in the long term. Here’s five ways conservation efforts could be affected.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND CORONAVIRUS

There are 1,400 known human pathogens. 800 of these are zoonotic - like covid-19. Covid-19 was not the first disease to come from wildlife, and will not be the last.

A CENTURY OF ZOONOSES

In just over a century, zoonoses like covid-19 have killed an estimated 40.5 million - 50.9 million people worldwide.

WHY ARE WILDLIFE MARKETS A RISK TO HUMAN HEALTH?

At many wildlife markets, wild animals are traded live and slaughtered on site in unhygienic conditions and with no consideration for their welfare.

CORONAVIRUS & WILDLIFE

How are species such as bats, pangolins, big cats and great apes affected by coronavirus?

BORN FREE URGES CHINA TO BAN WILDLIFE TRADE

Born Free has joined 32 wildlife organisations and conservation experts from around the world to urge the Chinese government to shut down the production of and trade in wild animals in the country.

TIME TO ACT NOW – WHY COMPASSION COUNTS

Guest blog: The global wildlife trade must now be held to full and final account, says Jill Robinson, Founder of Animals Asia.

HOW DOES CORONAVIRUS AFFECT ANIMALS IN ZOOS?

We need to consider carefully what the coronavirus pandemic means for animals in captivity.

DON'T BLAME WILDLIFE FOR CORONAVIRUS

The reasons why zoonoses like covid-19 are becoming so problematic in today’s world lie in the way humans interact with and exploit wildlife.

ANIMALS & CORONAVIRUS

How do illegal wildlife markets affect human health?

HOW BORN FREE IS TAKING PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CORONAVIRUS

Born Free is taking every precaution necessary to ensure the health and safety of our colleagues worldwide, as well as the animals in our care.

BORN FREE LEADS CAMPAIGN TO CLOSE GLOBAL WILDLIFE MARKETS

An open letter, backed by 236 wildlife protection groups, urges international health bodies to recommend legislation to end wild animal trade.

WILDLIFE MARKETS AND WET MARKETS

Since the emergence of covid-19, there has been a lot of talk about wildlife markets and wet markets.
But what’s the difference?

COMMERCIAL WILDLIFE MARKETS VERSUS SUBSISTENCE USE

Wild animals may be the source of the virus that causes covid-19, but they are not to blame for the pandemic.

Human encroachment into, and the destruction of wildlife habitats, together with our exponentially increasing demand for wild animals as food, medicines, pets, ornaments, fashion and for a host of other purposes, bring us into ever closer unnatural contact, increasing the risk of disease transmission.

Born Free is calling for an end to commercial wildlife markets and the global exploitation of wild animals for commercial trade.

However, we do recognise that many people depend on wild animals as a source of food for their survival. Therefore, while we are not calling for an end to the use of wildlife for subsistence purposes, we are encouraging initiatives that deliver alternative sources of protein to subsistence consumers of wild animals, in order to further reduce the risk to human health and wildlife populations.

If you agree action needs to be taken to secure a safer and healthier future for wildlife and people alike, send a pre-written email or sign the petition, and please share with your family and friends.

TAKE ACTION

ADOPT THE PANGOLIN FAMILY

The Pangolin Family lives in the forests in Central African Republic. Pangolins are one of the most illegally traded mammal species. The Sangha Pangolin Project rehabilitates rescued and orphaned pangolins and returns them back to the wild.

Help us care for wild pangolins.

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Images copyright: Dr Jan Schmidt-Burbach; Aaron Gekoski