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ND REPORT
The critical role of law enforcement at preventing future pandemics — Photo credit: ©IFAW. Lesanne Dunlop
Many of you will already be aware from previous articles,
To be clear, while COVID-19 originated in wildlife, it
that Leonard Joel and IFAW (International Fund for
spread into the human population because of human
Animal Welfare) formed an unlikely friendship, which has
activities. These activities need to be addressed
already driven critical momentum for change within the
holistically through cross-sectoral integrated planning and
environmental sector. The following is taken from part of
coordinated solutions that use the One Health approach,
the testimony provided by Dr. Jimmiel Mandima, Deputy
which recognises the connection between the health of
Director of Conservation at IFAW, during a virtual hearing
people, animals and the environment, in order to avoid
of the International Conservation Caucus Foundation
future pandemics.
(ICCF) held in April, 2020, entitled “Wildlife Trade, Origins of COVID-19, and Preventing Future Pandemics”. The full blog can be read at IFAW’s website, ifaw.org. ------------------------------------------------------------------------As we continue to face the crisis caused by COVID-19, it is incumbent upon us to address the causes of this novel coronavirus and examine ways that we can work together to protect against future zoonotic pandemics. Law enforcement plays an absolutely critical role in protecting against future pandemics. COVID-19 and other major illnesses that have spilled over from wildlife populations, have been triggered by imbalances in ecosystem health which are largely driven by human development and consumption habits, and ultimately resulting in increasing levels of wildlife trade.
26 | leonardjoel.com.au
There is incredible will in communities on the ground to continue to conserve wildlife and habitats even in the face of overwhelming stressors. This fact is not often given the credit it deserves. Rangers are under tremendous stress, many of whom are working far away from their families for months at a time. In the absence of tourism however, IFAW is seeing collaboration across public and private sectors, with reports that some wildlife parks are increasing ranger deployment to prevent more wildlife crime. However, with as much as 99% of tourism revenue lost for the foreseeable future, conservation successes will also be lost—unless we can provide short term stimulus or emergency funding that allows communities to survive without reverting to illegal or counterproductive activities.
