The Pangolin, victim of humans; humans victims of themselves.

The researchers Shen Yongyi and Xiao Lihua of South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou announced in a press conference that they might have identified the pangolin as the source of the virus (nothing is sure for the moment) the sequences are 99% similar the researchers reported at a press conference on 7 February 2020. ( Source: nature.com)

You probably already know that in their efforts to track down the source of the new coronavirus, researchers have suggested that the infection originated from a seafood

and wild animal market in Wuhan, China. Although officially, this market did not sell pangolins, people may have sold the animals there illegally.

This animal is the most likely intermediate host between bats and humans.

Pangolins — a relative of the anteaters — are scaly mammals that feed on burrowing insects, such as termites and ants.

The pangolin is considered the most trafficked animal on the planet and more than one million have been snatched from Asian and African forests in the past decade, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

The country’s law attempts to protect the animals, as selling Pangolins can lead to a 10 years prison sentence.

The animal’s scales are used in Chinese traditional medicine, in which it is believed to treat arthritis, menstrual pain and skin conditions. People also sell the animal’s meat, considering it a delicacy.

On Monday, February 24, China declared an immediate ban on the trade and consumption of

wild animals, a practice believed responsible for the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Previous temporary bans have been put in place, such as after the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus, also traced to wild animal consumption, killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in 2002-03.

“We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment.”

— Margaret Mead

« I applaud the ban, as we see that the Chinese government is determined to change a thousands-year-old tradition which is so inappropriate in today’s society,” said Jeff He, China director at the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Yes, but we always wait for it to affect humans, or to stop to destroy a whole species or ecosystem.

“Environment is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect”

— Mohith Agadi

Shall we consider this virus as punishment for all the violence, cruelty, and pain that humans are doing every second to nature?

What is happening reminds us that we kill and consume too many animals, that we don’t even need, without thinking about any consequences.

Nowadays, the new law of the jungle is to make money and act blind, when we could all be fighting against these kinds of profits.

We can see with this example of the pangolin (and there are millions more) that it is difficult to stop a tradition even when it is a terrible one.

We shouldn’t impose traditions or beliefs on animals, using that to justify animal exploitation.

We have to be aware of this period of the Anthropocene: it defines Earth’s most recent geologic time period as being human-influenced, or anthropogenic, based on overwhelming global evidence that atmospheric, geologic, hydrologic, biospheric and other earth system processes are now altered by humans. (Source: anthropocene.info)

If you want to fight against this kind of behaviours or for animals rights, to be involved, to protect the nature which gives us everything, you can follow, spread articles and videos, sign petitions, participate in the strikes against climate change and in Greenpeace actions, or go to help as a volunteer! Here are some important associations for animals in Greece that you can help: