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Covid-19 Outbreak: Need for permanent solution on wildlife sale and trade

  • Publication Date | February 21, 2020
  • Document Type | Letter to the Editor
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Wildlife
  • Tags | Covid-19, SARS, Wildlife Trafficking
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Whilst Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) welcomes the recent temporary ban by China on the hunting, sale, transportation and export of all wild animals in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, a more lasting solution is needed to prevent another repeat of such outbreaks, not only in China but in all countries.

This requires  a permanent ban on the trade, sale and consumption of wildlife and stricter controls, in the enforcement and prosecution of such illegal activities, especially the consumption of wild animals.

Much of the trade in wildlife is already illegal, but strict enforcement and prosecution measures remain a challenge in many countries.  

It is tragic indeed that the lessons were not learnt from the 2002-2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which was traced from consumption of wild animals in Guangdong, China.

In the SARs outbreak in China, although there was a crackdown on wildlife trafficking, sales persisted again about six months after the outbreak faded in mid-2003.

SAM fears that once the Covid-19 outbreak fades, countries will slow down their vigilance and continue to allow trade and sale of wild animals, including those that are endangered, due to the  relentless demand for exotic delicacies and ingredients for traditional medicine.

The most recent coronavirus has been traced to one or more live animal markets in Wuhan city in China, where wet markets contain highly stressed animals, both wild and domestic, huddled in cages and tanks awaiting their turn to be slaughtered.

Experts believe that capture, transportation, trade and slaughter of wild animals are all contributors to the occurrence of serious health problems, as evident from the recent health scares.

Animals sold in these markets are often kept in filthy conditions and left to fester in their own waste, which means they develop diseases that can be passed on to human populations. Similar conditions are found in markets all over the country and have been the source of health concerns in the past.

Media photographs show customers, sometimes with children, browsing in Asian markets amid  animals – some living, some freshly killed – in garishly lit, blood soaked stalls that invite enthusiasm for what the customers perceive as delectable produce, driven by the appetite for “warm meat”.

From pangolins, badgers, snakes, salamanders, scorpions, hedgehogs, and wolf puppies, to ferret-badgers, raccoon dogs, and civets, there is a long tradition of consuming wild animal species.

What should be blamed are wildlife markets, restaurants, and gluttonous individuals, but not bats or other wildlife species.

The relentless demand for exotic delicacies and ingredients for traditional medicine is hastening the extinction of many wildlife species in addition to posing a perennial health threat that Chinese authorities have failed to fully address despite growing risks of a global pandemic.

In Indonesia too, despite warnings to take wildlife off the menu, bats, rodents and snakes, alongside domestic animal species, are easily available at markets.  These animals are highly sought after by consumers attesting to their goodness with a thumbs up sign.

This calls for serious and urgent revision and strengthening of the wildlife protection laws and regulations in order to toughen the crackdown in wildlife trafficking.

Strong actions must be taken to ban wet markets trading in wildlife through constant supervision, inspection, and strengthening of law enforcement to ensure that wildlife trade is banned  permanently.

A permanent ban will not only save human lives but contribute to a recovery of wildlife populations worldwide.

In fact, wildlife experts have stressed that the ban and regulation of wildlife products will need to be global and not just in China.

China must take the lead in fighting the illegal wildlife trade together with the governments of all countries. Banning the possession of wildlife traded or harvested illegally would reduce the demand and hence reduce the trade itself.

We have had enough wake up calls with the SARs and the Covid-19 outbreaks.

Let’s act to prevent another health crisis around the world, that has not only led to preventable deaths and ill-health, but has also contributed to economic losses that continue to mount.

Meenakshi Raman

President

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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No. 1, Jalan Joki,
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Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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