In an interconnected world, everyone can provide a helping hand to support wildlife
Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can spread between animals and people. Over the last year, the daily life of people around the world, and particularly in the United States, has been severely impacted by a zoonotic disease with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. But zoonotic diseases are not new. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that six out of every 10 infectious diseases are zoonotic. Diseases like rabies, Lyme disease, and salmonella are all zoonotic.
The seriousness of the current pandemic may lead some to think the solution is to reduce the amount of wildlife to prevent future outbreaks, but the reality is much different. Wild animals are a critical part of the earth’s ecosystems and their habitat areas help insulate the world from climate change and soil erosion. This same habitat can encourage normal rain cycles that lead to production of our much-needed crops.
No, the solution is not to blame wildlife. In fact, wildlife, healthy ecosystems, and human survival are inextricably linked, and protection of wildlife and habitats is more important than ever. So what
is the solution?
One approach is to address the interactions between humans and wildlife. One such interface is in the trade and consumption of wildlife. In 2018, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) acquired the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance (WTA) in a joint effort to combat wildlife tracking around the world. The WTA works to raise awareness around wildlife trafficking and reduce demand for wildlife products by addressing consumer behavior and company supply chains. I’m proud that Cleveland Metroparks Zoo was one of the early funders of this acquisition and a long-time supporter of the WTA. Through the WTA, AZA has continued to work to find solutions to combat
illegal wildlife trade around the world. A major component of that work has been to involve the industries that can be peripherally involved in illegal wildlife trade. The jewelry, fashion, and travel/tourism industries all have a role to play. Recently, the focus has moved toward individual action. This is the approach that we have taken at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo where we focus on the ABCs: Advocate, Buy Responsibly, and Contribute.
In early October, the Preventing Future Pandemics Act of 2020 proposed closing the U.S. borders to importation of wildlife for human consumption and providing financial support to communities around the world that depend on wildlife consumption for survival. Remember, not all wildlife trade is illegal. Many people around the world hunt and trade wildlife for survival, and if done correctly it is a sustainable practice. I’m proud that both AZA and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo signed on as supporters of this act. You can raise your voice to
Advocate by
clicking here and writing to your representatives and senators to encourage them to support this act. Advocacy, raising your voice in support, is critically important for environmental issues.
Buying Responsibly is another key area to support wildlife. By not purchasing wildlife products, we decrease the demand on wildlife. Even simple actions can have complicated outcomes. For example, by recycling your cell phone, tablet or computer, you reduce the demand on conflict minerals for new electronics. With decreased mining there is less consumption and removal of bushmeat in critical gorilla habitats in Africa. Recycling your cell phone and waiting a little longer between upgrades can help protect wildlife.
Finally,
Contribution is a major support mechanism to combat illegal wildlife trade. In addition to being a Platinum Partner of the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo supports several organizations that aim to reduce illegal wildlife trade, including: African Wildlife Foundation’s Canine Detection Unit, Education for Nature Vietnam’s Wildlife Crime Unit, and the Little Fireface Project’s wildlife trade research in Indonesia. By making a
donation to our wildlife conservation program, you can have real positive impacts on these programs even if you’ve never left your hometown.
Our world is interconnected and this year we have seen that first-hand. With a growing global economy and real stresses on wildlife and wild places, it’s important to take action to help reduce the potential for the next zoonotic disease outbreak. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo employs our ABC approach to conservation action: Advocate, Buy Responsibly and Contribute. You can learn more about how to help secure a future for wildlife,
here.
Join us in protecting wildlife!
~Dr. Chris Kuhar, Executive Director of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo