World Animal Protection campaigners advocates for end of wildlife trade

World Animal Protection has called for an end to wildlife trade. 

Through an interactive map it has launched, the entity shows wildlife trade routes and the cruelty animals experience. 

The map prominently features the traditional medicine markets in Benin and Lion bone trade in South Africa, the Ball Pythons in West Africa and the African Grey Parrots in Central Africa. 

Wildlife Campaigns Manager at World Animal Protection Edith Kabesiime said, “This interactive map shows wildlife trade routes globally and the dangers it has if not stopped. The African continent is home to some of the world’s most majestic and iconic wildlife. Sadly, it is also home to some of the world’s most cruel, dangerous, and exploitative wildlife trading. Some of the activities are criminal, others are legally authorized, but all are cruel."

“Action is needed to end the global wildlife trade; to safeguard animal welfare, biodiversity, and to protect our health. We are urging people not to buy, own, or breed a wild animal for entertainment, for traditional Medicine or as an exotic pet. A life in captivity is a world away from a life in the wild,” she added. 

With very little regard for their welfare, thousands of wild animals are poached or farmed and sold daily into the global multi-billion-dollar wild animal trade. 

The animals are deprived of freedom, space, wild interaction, and diet which are offered by their natural habitat. 

Wildlife trade has become one of the major drivers of animal extinction risk globally. The demand and exploitation of wild animals affects biodiversity and exposes everyone to diseases. 

 

As per past occurrences, zoonotic diseases like COVID-19, SARS, Ebola and MERS emerged and spread due to the exploitation of wild animals. 

Kabesiime stated, “Every day we learn more about the dangers of this trade, and how it is putting our own future at risk. We are at a biodiversity tipping point – we must act now before it is too late. Ending wildlife trade is the sure way to avert future catastrophes.”