ISLAMABAD: While World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Pakistan expressed solidarity with families who lost their loved ones to corona virus, it welcomes Chinese government’s decision to temporarily ban sale of wildlife in markets, restaurants and online.

Director General, WWF-Pakistan Hammad Naqi Khan said in a press release that negative impact of illegal wildlife trade on plant and animal populations and global biodiversity is apparent. Current spread of corona virus, as well as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and other outbreaks in recent history, underscores the need to urgently take action and raise awareness on potential human health threats posed by illegal or unregulated wildlife trade.

He said that illegal markets for live wild animals were common across many Asian countries, especially in areas such as Greater Mekong’s Golden Triangle where Laos, Thailand and Myanmar meet close to Chinese border.

Snares set by poachers to supply bushmeat have become a widespread problem. As a result, many of Asia’s tropical forests are being exhausted of their endemic wildlife populations including many endangered species, trade in which is prohibited or strictly regulated, he maintained.

Unfortunately, enforcement of laws in many of these illegal wildlife markets is weak or often non-existent, he asserted.

He said illegal activities threatening biodiversity and absence of any veterinary controls makes them a threat to the health of both people and domestic animals, with potential to significantly impact communities and economies both locally and globally.

The corona virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it is normally found in wildlife. It is understood to have mutated in an environment where it came into contact with people and was able to adapt in ways that allow for transmission to human populations. Wildlife markets can potentially therefore provide environment conducive for this type of viral mutation.

In addition, Southeast Asia is a major transit and tourism hub, with countries like Thailand and Cambodia being popular destinations for people traveling from China and Vietnam especially during this time of the year around the Lunar New Year.

‘This public health crisis is a wakeup call for the region,’ said Hammad Naqi Khan.

“If we don’t eliminate poaching and illegal wildlife trade in endangered animals and their parts, as bush-meat, for perceived medicinal value, or as pets, there will always be threat of this kind of epidemic in the future, he said.

Pakistan is not a major wildlife consumer country yet it is known as an important source and transit for many illegal wildlife consignments bound mainly for East Asian countries.

According to the official, illegal wildlife markets also exist in the country in nearly all major cities, which deal in illegal trade of protected and endangered species including freshwater and marine turtles, birds, reptiles and mammals among others both live animals, their parts and products including fur.

He said that pet turtles for example are known carriers of Salmonella bacteria. An increase in the number of private zoos, aviaries and exotic pets (especially big cats) is also a known cause of concern. There are over 300 private zoos in Punjab and Sindh.

These have been established without any monitoring and surveillance system in place. Adequate regulatory and management arrangements for carcass disposal, breeding, handling and sale are missing.

WWF-Pakistan director general called for further strengthening national and international legal systems and engage public health sectors to permanently end illegal wildlife trade, including closure of unregulated wildlife markets.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2020