Month: April 2020

Germany: Wolf’s persecution

 

wolf-

In Lower Saxony, the shooting down of three wolves is currently approved. These are two animals from the Uelzen district and one animal from the Emsland district.

After repeated livestock tears in the Uelzen region, the state, together with the local district there, examined an exceptional permit from the strict protection of the wolf in accordance with the Federal Nature Conservation Act, the Lower Saxony Environment Ministry said.
The “experts” from the Ministry of the Environment have assessed the situation in detail, taking into account the national development of the population, and have come to the conclusion that an exception is required for one wolf from three herds, according to the press release.

Wolf Bilder Zum Ausdrucken Fd32 Messianica Malvorlagen Für Mädchen with Wolfsbilder Zum Ausdrucken

The Lower Saxony Environment Minister said: “In recent years, the shepherds have made great efforts to protect their herds from wolf attacks. The state supports them as much as possible. However, if wolves overcome these protective measures, we must not leave the livestock farmers helpless. (!!!)”

erschossener-wolf-

According to the ministry, the shooting permit is valid until June 30, 2020. In the case of the she-wolf from the Escheder herd, enforcement is to be suspended from April 15 to May 15, 2020 for animal welfare reasons in order to ensure the care of possible puppies born this spring.

https://www.agrarheute.com/tier/niedersachsen-ministerium-gibt-drei-woelfe-abschuss-frei-567142

 

+++Update: After a shot, the hunter should remain as anonymous as possible – so that he is not threatened, said the Ministry of Environment.

 

And I mean…The federal government, the strongest lobby for farmers and hunters, had made it easier for wolves to be shot a year ago in order to prevent tearing of grazing animals such as sheep or calves.
According to this shameful bill, wolves can be killed even if it is unclear which animal attacked a flock of sheep, for example. It should be possible to shoot wolves until there is no more damage, even if it kills an entire herd of wolves.

In 2018 alone there were eight illegal killing of wolves in Germany, since 2000 there have been a total of 43. There is massive poaching against the wolf, with the support of the state. So far, never a single murder of Wolf has been punished!

The natural hunters, i.e. the wolves, do belong here.
They were at home here before the farmers discovered factory farming.
They are carnivorous animals, which means they have to eat meat and have always done it.

Humans can survive without meat.  After the last events, it would make sense to avoid meat.

Farmers, on the other hand, are primarily concerned with maximizing profit and not with the well-being of their herds.

Protection fences and herds protection dogs mean additional costs and the animals killed by the wolf are a loss for them; because with these animals – who keep them in farms under miserable conditions and die a violent death in the slaughterhouse anyway – no profit can be made.
That is why the corrupt German politicians are now approving an order to destroy the wolf.
But they allow to continue animal factories as usual.

Schöne Karikatur mit Jäger getötet von Wolf n“I had to act, he lost fear of the wolf”

 

My best regards to all, Venus

England – BFF: Hundreds of conservation experts join forces to pressure WHO to force live animal markets to close.

WAV Comment – A good time to see what the WHO response will now be.  Are they just like the EU institutions; exist and pay themselves high salareis; ignore the evidence and bow to the wishes of the lobbyists, or do they actually have the will and power to do anything ? – we wait and watch with interest, for a very concerned global community which is suffering because of the ignorance so far !  As the Independent (London) says:

if we don’t take care of nature, it will take care of us

 

World Health Organization officially recognises 'gaming disorder ...

 

 

Coronavirus: Hundreds of conservation experts join forces to pressure WHO to force live animal markets to close

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is coming under some of the greatest pressure it has experienced in its 72-year history – to force the closure of live animal markets to prevent future pandemics.

More than 200 conservation groups across the world have signed an open letter calling on the organisation to do all it can to prevent new diseases emerging from wildlife trade and spreading into global pandemics.

 

Virus Sparks Soul-Searching Over China's Wild Animal Trade - WSJ

 

Scientists say the evidence points to Covid-19 originating from animals – most likely bats – in “wet” markets where live and dead creatures, from dogs and hares to turtles, are sold as food and slaughtered on demand.

Previous epidemics, including severe acute respiratory syndrome, which killed nearly 800 people in 2002-3, and Ebola, which has killed at least 11,300 people, have also been linked to viruses caused by hunting bush meat or other wildlife consumption.

Ever since evidence of the Covid-19 link to Wuhan’s wet markets was revealed earlier this year, experts worldwide have called for such places to be shut down because of the risk of starting dangerous diseases.

 

What Are Wet Markets?

 

The new joint letter calls on the WHO to recommend to governments worldwide that they bring in permanent bans on live wildlife markets and close down or limit trade in wildlife to reduce the threat to human health.

In February, the Chinese government temporarily banned such markets, although there is evidence some sellers have started up again or are dealing online.

 

Bloomberg Publishes Gushing Article About China's 'Wet Markets ...

 

China promotes bile from caged bears to treat coronavirus

The experts also want the use of wildlife, including from captive-bred animals, to be “unequivocally” excluded from the organisation’s definition and endorsement of traditional medicine.

Last year the WHO added traditional Chinese medicine, which uses animal body parts, to its influential global compendium.

Conservationists say the WHO should work with governments and international bodies such as the World Trade Organisation to raise awareness of the risks the wildlife trade poses to human health and society.

It should also support and encourage initiatives that deliver alternative sources of protein to people who survive on eating wild animals.

 

UPDATE: Dr. Fauci Wants Foreign 'Wet Markets' Shut Down | PETA

 

The letter, coordinated by wildlife charity Born Free and its Lion Coalition partners, is backed by organisations including the Bat Conservation Trust, International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Zoological Society of London.

 

An Inside Look at Asian Wet Markets - We Animals Media

 

At the same time, world leaders are receiving a science-based white paper from Humane Society International, warning that Covid-19 is “a tipping point that governments globally must not ignore” and asking governments to help the traders involved to find new livelihoods as quickly as possible.

 

Without action, “the emergence of another coronavirus-based disease in the future is a practical certainty”, the paper says.

In the UK, the paper is being sent to foreign secretary – and effective deputy prime minister – Dominic Raab, health secretary Matt Hancock and environment secretary George Eustice.

The United Nations’ biodiversity chief has also added her weight to demands for a global ban on wildlife markets. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema said the change could prevent new pandemic diseases from spreading.

 

China's 'wet markets' start selling bats, dogs again: Report

 

“The message we are getting is if we don’t take care of nature, it will take care of us,” she told The Guardian, but cautioned poor commmunities would need support to prevent them trading illegally and driving species extinctions.

Markets selling live animals – both captured from the wild and bred in captivity – are popular in southeast Asia but also exist in Africa and South America.

The Chinese government encouraged them to expand and become more commercial during the 1980s.

Mark Jones, the head of policy at Born Free, said the trade in wild animals was not only bad for the welfare of millions of individual animals but was also a major factor in global declines in wildlife.

“We need to dig deep and reset our fundamental relationship with the natural world, rethink our place in it and treat our planet and all its inhabitants with a great deal more respect, for its sake and for ours,” he said.

“Once Covid-19 is hopefully behind us, returning to business as usual cannot be an option.”

Separate research by wildlife charity WWF has found high levels of public support in Asia for closing illegal and unregulated wildlife markets and the wildlife trade.

The survey, conducted in Hong Kong, Japan, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam, found 93 per cent of people supported eliminating illegal and unregulated markets.

Influential organisations including the RSPCA, Humane Society International, Peta, the US-based Wildlife Conservation Society, World Animal Protection and Four Paws International have all spoken out against wildlife trading since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even before China’s temporary ban, some of the country’s own researchers called for a crackdown.

Dr Jones added: “The World Health Organization has a mandate to promote human health, keep the world safe, and protect the vulnerable.

“We are asking the WHO to advise governments to permanently close down wildlife markets, and to curb the commercial trade in wild animals for food, traditional medicines and the myriad of other uses for which wildlife is exploited.

“A global response to curb wildlife trade is clearly needed to prevent further human health crises, and to reverse the unprecedented decline in the natural world.”

The Independent has asked the WHO whether it is considering making any recommendations to world governments.

 

China coronavirus: Calls to ban live animal sales in wet markets ...

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/coronavirus-animal-wet-markets-wildlife-who-bats-dogs-turtles-a9450081.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sea Shepherd and “Whales Forever”

sea sheapard whales vor everjpg

In March 1994, Sea Shepherd acquired the British ship SWITZER MERCATOR and renamed it WHALES FOREVER. The ship was brought directly to the Netherlands to be repaired and refitted.

WHALES FOREVER became the target of two arson attacks during its short but turbulent time at Sea Shepherd. While the first attack did little damage, the second act of sabotage triggered a fire and explosion in the engine room. Due to the extensive repairs, it took a month longer to get the ship going again.

The WHALES FOREVER subsequently left the Netherlands and opposed illegal whaling on the coast of Northern Norway, which triggered widespread coverage in the European media.

norwegen_walfang_jpg
The Norwegian Navy ship ANDENES intercepted the WHALES FOREVER and tried several times to damage its propeller, but Captain Watson was able to maneuver the ANDENES over and over again.

Frustrated, the ANDENES captain misjudged his next approach and rammed the Sea Shepherd ship. The impact smashed the bow of the WHALES FOREVER and tore a leak into a gas tank, spilling hundreds of gallons of fuel on the deck and soaking three crew members.
During the collision, the propeller was also blocked by a rope that the ANDENES pulled behind it.

The WHALES FOREVER team reacted quickly to remove the gasoline and thus avoid the risk of an explosion. At the same time, Sea Shepherd divers went into the water and cut the rope from the screw.

Although the ANDENES fired two cannons at the WHALES FOREVER and detonated four water bombs in front of its hull, the WHALES FOREVER managed to prevent the Norwegian Navy from boarding and to return to the Scottish Shetland Islands.

When the damaged ship was brought to dry dock in Bremerhaven, it turned out that the water bombs had caused massive damage.

walenfang sea sheapard

In October 1994 the WHALES FOREVER set off for Florida, where Captain Watson sold the ship a few months later. He ended up getting more money for the ship than he originally paid for it.

In less than 12 months, WHALES FOREVER had managed to make a name for itself in the media and repeatedly drew public attention to illegal whaling in Norway.

Photo: © Sea Shepherd

 

My comment: Every year the same! The hunting season in Norway started again on April 1st.

Norway hunts for whales in large quantities, although the meat is not more popular.
Norway sets the quotas itself and also slaughters significant quantities of female minke whales.

The quota is so high that Norway kills more whales than Japan and Iceland combined. Since 1993, around 12,000 whales have been killed (“officially”).

A very large proportion of the females are pregnant, so the rate is much higher than officially stated.

Walen leichenjpg

The whales will have to suffer for a long time when they go whaling. The agony can last from a few minutes to 2 hours.

The victim tries to escape with the harpoon in her body and loses a lot of blood and is in great pain. A whale is often fired at the whale’s head several times and some animals are still alive when they are brought on board and only then are they killed.

Norway has long known that whaling is no longer worthwhile for its own country, and yet they are sticking to whaling. The question is why this is so.

They have been trying to export whale meat to Japan for several years, but Japan`s stocks are also overcrowded with whale meat.
The prices are sometimes in the basement and the Norwegian fishermen even pay extra.

In addition, the government has paid the equivalent of 2.4 million euros to the whaling industry since the 1990s. It is therefore clear that slaughtering whales is not worthwhile.

And so the question of WHY remains unanswered.

walfang7-Vestmanna-jpg

The hunters of Germany also cannot provide a logical answer for the annual mass murder of 600,000 foxes or 96,000 wild boars.
There is no logical reason for hunting on the 21st century.

It is driven by psychopaths and is simply a secondary form of mental illness.

My best regards to all, Venus

England: ‘Lucy’s Law’ Is Now Official Legislation – Protecting Puppies and Kittens From the ‘Mill’ Industry and Illegal Breeders. Good News For Animals In These Depressing Times.

England

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/lucys-law-puppy-farm-ban-kittens-how-to-buy-adopt-uk-breeder-a9448811.html

 

 

6/4/20. England UK.

The government has introduced landmark new legislation called “Lucy’s Law” which aims to tackle the low-welfare, high volume supply of puppies and kittens, by banning their commercial third-party sale in England.

 

michaelgove mp

Minister Gove

 

When the law was first laid out in parliament in May 2019, Michael Gove, the minister for the cabinet office, said it was about “giving our animals the best possible start in life”.

It will put an end to the early separation of puppies and kittens from their mothers, as well as the terrible conditions in which some of these animals are bred.

 

But, what is exactly is Lucy’s Law and how does it protect cats and dogs? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Lucy’s Law?

 

The new legislation cracks down on so-called puppy farms and requires animals to be born and reared in a safe environment, alongside their mother, and to be sold from their place of birth.

The rules, known as Lucy’s Law, were laid out in Parliament in May 2019 and officially came into force on 6 April 2020.

  

How does it protect puppies and kittens?

 

Lucy’s Law means that anyone wanting to get a new puppy or kitten in England must now buy direct from a breeder, or consider adopting from a rescue centre instead.

It also means that licensed dog breeders are required to show puppies interacting with their mothers in their place of birth.

If a business sells puppies or kittens without a licence, they could receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months.

 

 

Why was it introduced?

 

The law is named after Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was rescued from a puppy farm in Wales where she was subjected to terrible conditions.

Puppy farms are located across the UK with most depending on third-party sellers or dealers to distribute often sick, traumatised, unsocialised puppies which have been taken away from their mother at just a few weeks old.

This often involves long-distance transportation, with the puppy or kitten suffering life-threatening medical, surgical, or behavioural problems which are passed on to unsuspecting new owners.

Lucy’s Law effectively removes the third-party dealer chain, resulting in all dog and cat breeders becoming accountable for the first time.

 

What is the best way to get a puppy or kitten?

 

The RSPCA recommends that anyone looking to get a puppy or kitten should consider rescuing instead of buying.

However, for anyone intent on buying, the government has shared some tips on warning signs to look out for.

 

Before visiting:

  • Research. Have a look at the seller’s profile and search their name online. If they are advertising many litters from different breeds, then this is a red flag.
  • Check contact details. Copy and paste the phone number into a search engine. If the number is being used on lots of different adverts, sites and dates then this is likely a deceitful seller.
  • Check the animal’s age. Puppies and kittens should never be sold under 8 weeks old – do not buy from anyone advertising a puppy or kitten younger than 8 weeks.
  • Check the animal’s health records. Make sure the seller shares all records of vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and microchipping with you before sale.

 

When visiting:

  • Make sure the mum is present. If mum is not available to meet, it’s unlikely the puppy or kitten was bred there. Beware of the seller making excuses as to why mum is not there e.g. she’s at the vet’s, asleep, or out for a walk.
  • Check there isn’t a ‘fake’ mum. Most fake mums don’t interact with the puppies as they fear the real mum returning.
  • Watch out for puppies or kittens labelled as ‘rescue’ but with much higher than expected price tags.
  • If you feel rushed or pressurised into parting with cash, this is a red flag.
  • Health problems observed at purchase are not normal and don’t be convinced otherwise.
  • Beware of offers to meet somewhere convenient e.g. car park or motorway services, or ‘shop front’ premises, common with rented properties just to make sales, and ‘sales rooms’ kept separate from nearby or onsite puppy farm.

How has the law been received?

 

Lucy’s Law has been welcomed by a number of animal welfare campaigners including Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA, who said: “We’re incredibly pleased that the government is today introducing a ban on third-party sales of puppies and kittens. We believe that this, along with tougher licensing regulations that were introduced in 2018 and better education of the public on how to buy puppies responsibly, will help to crackdown on this cruel trade.

“We hope these laws will be properly enforced so that all dogs who are used for breeding and selling will live happy, healthy lives where their welfare is prioritised above profits.”

Marc Abraham, media vet, author, founder of Pup Aid and the Lucy’s Law campaign, added that he is “incredibly proud” to have led the 10-year campaign to ban cruel puppy and kitten dealers.

“I’d like to give a huge thanks to UK Government for passing this law, as well as every animal-loving parliamentarian, celebrity, welfare organisation, and member of the public that supported us,” Mr Abraham said.

“Lucy was an incredibly brave dog, and it’s right that her memory is honoured with such an important piece of legislation to help end puppy farm cruelty; protecting breeding dogs just like her, as well as cats, their young, and also unsuspecting animal-lovers from the dangers of irresponsible breeding and cruel puppy and kitten dealers.”

 

 

 

 

India: This Hero of A Mumbai Boy Is Feeding Stray Animals Every Day Since Lockdown.

INDA0001

 

WAV Comment – What a Hero !!

Please click on the following link to see photos of this amazing young man.

 

https://www.thequint.com/neon/social-buzz/mumbai-veterinary-student-feeds-stray-animals-every-morning-since-lockdown  

This Mumbai Boy Is Feeding Stray Animals Every Day Since Lockdown

 

For those who think that only human beings happen to face the difficulties and hardships of a distressing time like such, this veterinary student from Mumbai will help you shift your focus to just how bad animals have it.
COVID-19 has also had an equally scarring impact on the lives of stray animals across the nation and unfortunately like us they don’t have a voice. In a bid to help the suffering of these animals, Sagun Bhatjiwale is feeding these animals along with the help of some other good samaritans like himself.
Sagun is a part of he Nature’s Ally Foundation: an NGO dedicated to the welfare of birds, animals and trees, and his good deeds got him noticed on Instagram by account ‘nobordersshop’. The account shared his story, where he talks about how disheartening it is for him to see animals in such anguish
“My heart reaches out to the stray animals of the city, who face the scarcity of food and lack of water on a daily basis, struggling with extreme starvation and dehydration, as human activity has decreased to an unprecedented level.”
Sagun Bhatjiwale

Sagun also spoke about how people were also constrained to step out and help due to the restrictions of the lockdown.
“The shutting down of restaurants and eateries has completely stopped the usual leftovers that are discarded in garbage bins. I could not bear to see the stray animals suffer, so I decided to do something about it. I reached out for help, but no one was ready to risk coming out during the lockdown. I managed to convince a college canteen to help me cook the rice meal for the strays every morning.”

He organised for the food supplies from his own savings, but the bigger obstacle was to find transport to carry the food, however with the help of a local animal lover, Rakesh Gupta, Shagun managed to help feed over 100 dogs every day.
“I could not drive myself and I do not have a car of my own. Luckily a local animal lover, Rakesh Gupta, agreed to drive me. We would get up at 4 am, cook and pick up the rice meal from the canteen and start the no hunger drive. I served some food in plastic bowls and offered it to the strays, making sure to pick up the bowls after they were done. I encountered some pregnant dogs, some lactating mothers with their pups, and many old infirm and/or emaciated ones, who could not scout for food themselves. I used to feed 100-150 dogs per day. It was very heartening to see them eat hungrily.”
Sagun Bhatjiwale

To see hungry animals finally eat in peace was the motivating factor for Shagun to do this almost every morning ever since the lockdown, despite being stopped by police officers.

“I spent 6-7 hours every morning doing this. I was stopped multiple times by policemen who questioned why I am out on the streets during the lockdown, but they allowed me to continue feeding the stray animals”
Sagun Bhatjiwale

He requested for people to come forward and help him feed those who don’t have both the means or the ability to express it’s dearth.
“I want to encourage others to participate and feed the strays in your locality, keep a bowl of water outside and regularly refill it.

 

If anyone would like to join me in saving our animals, contact me at @saguningenious3254 (Instagram account)”

Sagun Bhatjiwale

Sagun’s efforts are truly heartwarming and praiseworthy!

Racist, colonial mentality!

WHO chief slams suggestion to use Africa as testing ground for Covid-19 vaccine!

The suggestion by two French medical experts to test coronavirus vaccines in Africa is racist, appalling and a relic of colonial mentality, head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said.

WHO news conference on the novel coronavirus (COVID-2019)WHO-director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus -DENIS BALIBOUSE/ REUTERS

 

Jean Paul Mira and Camille Locht brought up the issue during an appearance on the French TV channel LCI last week, pointing to the lack of masks, treatments and ventilators on the continent.

Asked about it on Monday, Tedros said he was “appalled” by the “racist remarks.”

The hangover from the colonial mentality has to stop.

“Africa cannot and will not be a testing ground for any vaccine,” said the WHO chief, who hails from Ethiopia. “We will follow all the rules to test any vaccine or therapeutics all over the world using exactly the same rules, whether it is in Europe, Africa or wherever.”

Tedros’s comments echo the condemnations made by several European footballers of African heritage soon after the French experts’ discussion aired.

corona Impfung peg

African football icons including Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba have reacted with rage after the two doctors suggested the continent could be used as a testing ground during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Africa is not a playground for you,” tweeted Cameroonian-born former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o. 

Didier Drogba — born in the Ivory Coast — called the suggestion “scandalous” and “absolutely disgusting,” adding that Africans should not be used as guinea pigs. 

Republic of Congo midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, who left Scottish champions Celtic last year and was a Player of the Year for West Bromwich Albion during their spell in the Premier League, added: “Africa is not a trash can or a laboratory. No coronavirus vaccine test in Africa.”

Outraged Senegal star Demba Ba shared the video on social media and called for uproar. “Welcome to the west, where white people believe themselves to be so superior that racism and debility become a banality,” wrote the former Premier League and current Basaksehir forward, urging: “TIME TO RISE.”

Despite its relative lack of protective equipment and technology compared to elsewhere, Africa has been far less affected by the pandemic to date.

Out of the 1.3 million documented cases of Covid-19 across the world, only 9,500 have been registered in Africa, along with just under 450 confirmed deaths.

By comparison, the US has had almost 350,000 cases and over 10,000 deaths.

corona Hatzopoulos jpg

 

https://www.rt.com/news/485120-who-coronavirus-vaccine-trial-africa/

 

And I mean…Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg, now supported by Warren Buffett, with their foundations are the main financiers of the World Health Organization WHO. The BGMF, at the top, finances the WHO’s five billion budget with around 700 million a year, together with the US and British governments, which otherwise keep the UN as short as possible or boycott it.

Among other things, the WHO defines which diseases are important for the world and when an epidemic has become a pandemic.

“The secret WHO boss is Bill Gates,” was the headline of the German weekly “Die ZEIT”, which admires the self-proclaimed human savior.

Conclusion: the head of the WHO reacted correctly and fairly, maybe his reaction cost him the job.
But because Bill Gates is the main shareholder of the WHO (the Bill Gates Foundation is one of the main donors of the WHO), I recommend testing the vaccine on him and his children first.
This means that Bill Gates’ children can be sure that the vaccine is safe.

 

My best regards to all, Venus

Coronavirus – How Did It Start and Can We Stop It In the Future ?

 

Thanks to Stacey for sharing:

https://our-compass.org/2020/04/06/coronavirus-how-did-it-really-start-how-do-we-stop-it-from-happening-again-covid-19/

Alternate video link:

https://youtu.be/aIoBAS6bLy8

 

Source Surge Activism

Many of the world’s deadliest outbreaks, including COVID-19, SARS and bird flu – are directly linked to the exploitation of animals by humans.

Summarized in our latest Surge Media campaign released amid the global coronavirus pandemic, and explored in greater depth in an upcoming white paper, Surge has brought together findings from the world’s leading authorities on infectious diseases including the World Health Organisation (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The CDC warns that three out of four new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals, while the WHO, FAO and OIE have previously stated that increased demand for animal protein is one of the main risk factors of a pandemic.

The HIV virus started because of humans eating chimpanzees and the recent Ebola outbreak started because of people eating bats. Furthermore, BSE and the human equivalent vCJD is believed to have started in the UK because farmers were feeding dead infected cattle back to cattle, forcing them to cannibalise, and an ancestral strain of swine flu was traced back to a pig farm in North Carolina.

Surge also hopes that shedding light on the global prevalence of zoonotic outbreaks will help shift blame away from certain countries and cultures associated with more recent diseases, such as China where both COVID-19 and SARS are believed to have originated from so-called ‘wet’ markets according to the most widely accepted theories.

In light of recent attacks against individuals who appear Asian, Surge urges the public to understand that diseases occur all over the world – including the US (HIV and swine flu) and the UK (BSE / vCJD) – and their places of origin can be different to where their major outbreaks were recorded.

Not all of the world’s zoonotic outbreaks can be attributed to the intentional exploitation of non-human animals, but enough have been to warrant a discussion about the way we use others. The transmission of zoonotic diseases to humans is not entirely preventable as there is always a chance that zoonotic viruses, bacteria and other pathogens can be passed to humans in situations where there is no direct exploitation of animals, but Surge posits that the risk would be considerably lower than, taking the example of swine flu, in an intensive farming environment where huge numbers of animals are brought into close proximity with humans in a way that would virtually never happen in any other setting, or in the case of BSE, where cows would never naturally cannibalise other cows.

Moving away from the use of non-human animals will greatly lower the risk of future outbreaks of unknown zoonotic diseases, and save not only non-human animal lives, but those of countless thousands of humans. While it is impossible to predict how many lives could be saved this way, COVID-19 has already killed around 25,000 worldwide to-date, while other recent outbreaks like SARS, swine flu and avian flu combined have killed hundreds of thousands.

 

Sources and Citations

 

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/68899/WHO_CDS_CPE_ZFK_2004.9.pdf

http://www.fao.org/3/i1963e/i1963e00.pdf

https://www.theaidsinstitute.org/education/aids-101/where-did-hiv-come-0

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ebola-outbreak-is-bushmeat-to-blame-9804605.html

https://www.cdc.gov/prions/bse/about.html

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/vcjd/facts

https://www.wired.com/2009/05/swineflufarm/

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus/event-background-2019

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/sars-coronavirus

http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/210621/icode/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2865087/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/25/new-virus-china-covid-19-food-markets

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29604204

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18063-timeline-the-secret-history-of-swine-flu/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215318/

https://sentientmedia.org/coronavirus-should-make-you-reconsider-eating-meat/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-antibiotics-wild-animals-wildlife-china-wuhan-bat-pangolin-a9407261.html

 

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