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It is suspected that a wildlife market in China was ground zero for the Covid19 outbreak, but why? How did that happen? How has it happened in the past and why will it inevitably happen again unless we make some important changes? I talk about all of this with today’s guest, Onkuri Majumdar of the organization Freeland. She has been working to strengthen the capacity of governments, law officials, and companies to recognize illegal wildlife trafficking and to bring culprits to justice in such a way that actually dismantles the whole illegal network. Onkuri, along with a myriad of other partners that work alongside Freeland, works tirelessly to make sure that a disease like Covid19 is not able to again bring the world to its knees.

Highlights

1:45) What does the wildlife trafficking industry look like?

7:11) How do these animals become the breeding ground for diseases that pass to humans?

10:46) What does Freeland do to address the complex layers of wildlife trafficking?

16:00) What actions have been taken since the Covid19 outbreak?

20:35) Why is there still hope?

What YOU can do to help end illegal wildlife trafficking

• Ask questions. Don’t just accept things at surface value. If you see a very exotic non-native animal being used in an animal show or circus or in a pet shop, it’s not likely it got there through very legal channels.
• Don’t buy any products (for example, souvenirs, ivory bracelets, etc) that came from animals, even if you are told they are antique and the animal wasn’t recently killed.
• Don’t buy exotic pets, even if they are technically legal. Very often, the legal trade is a cover for smuggling in a lot of animals illegally under very inhumane conditions.
• Don’t go to exotic animal shows.
• Be a responsible tourist and don’t patronize tour operators that promote unsustainable or inhumane practices.
• Don’t order dishes with exotic meats, even if they are culturally accepted there.
• Don’t take animal selfies (even from the harmless-looking woman walking around with her cute exotic “pet.” )
• Download Freeland’s WildScan app

Resources

• Freeland Website
• End Pandemics Campaign
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Youtube
• Instagram
• Film Festival

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What difference for the world are you going to make today?

Background music by Fearless Motivation Instrumentals: Meaning of Life