How should we face our regrets over the outbreak of coronavirus, avoid a backlash against animals, and best ensure this never happens again?
[Also read Coronavirus: a backlash against animals that should be solved by education]
Beer and Deer Kabobs at a Wet Market
The current outbreak of Coronavirus reportedly originated from Huanan
live animal market in Wuhan, China, where bats, snakes, civets and other
wildlife is confined live until slaughtered, and sold to meet a growing
demand for wild meat. It’s common practice at Asian markets to keep live
animals trussed or caged alongside the remains of recently slaughtered
bodies, and the process – widely criticised as unhygienic as well as
inhumane – is thought to be the root cause of infection.
There have also been reports of brutal repercussions for companion animals
in China, as isolated cases of pet owners turning on their dogs and cats for
fear of cross-contraction. Advice from the World Health Organisation states
that Coronavirus is not transmissable from dogs or cats to humans, but these
companion animals are at risk of their own species-specific strains of the
virus. You can read our response to the issue here.
Tragically, at the end of January 213 people are known to have died from
Coronavirus in China, with almost 10,000 cases identified nationally, and
cases diagnosed in another 18 countries. While China has the impressive
resources to build two hospitals in just one week to help treat and
quarantine sick people, many Asian countries do not have the capacity or
wealth to react with such efficiency, and will face even graver human cost
if the virus takes hold.
Live animals are kept caged until a customer places an order for meat.
Carcasses and animal remains are kept in close proximity (see lower right
corner).
Although the Government has placed a temporary ban on live animal
markets, the long-term plan is to reopen once the virus is under control.
ACTAsia is calling for a permanent ban on live animal markets and the
intensive farming of wild animals in Asia. Although dogs and cats cannot
carry or transmit Coronavirus, we also call for a ban on their sale at
markets for meat or fur.
A ban should be implemented in Asian countries including Thailand, Malaysia
and Indonesia, where live wildlife markets are common. Many international
organisations with humanitarian, welfare and environmental agendas are also
calling for a permanent ban.
How ACTAsia is helping
ACTAsia supports a proposal for a permanent ban on the captive breeding
of wildlife for all commercial purposes, as well as wildlife markets. We
will suport our friends and colleagues as they present a proposal at the Two
Sessions event, or Lianghui, in March – the Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference and the National People’s Congress make up the
biggest political event of the year in China.
Our Caring for Life Education programme teaches people the potential dangers
of manipulating and exploiting nature for commercial profit.
Our work with consumers encourages people to think about the origins of the
goods they consume, including meat, wildlife products and animal fur. We ask
adults to consider humane alternatives, and we educate children to help them
understand why cruelty towards any sentient species can never be justified.
With the associated threat to companion animals as efforts to halt the
spread of Coronavirus continue, it is important to remember that pet
ownership is a relatively new concept in much of Asia. The responsibilities
that come with companion animals are not yet fully understood.
Through Caring for Life Education, ACTAsia helps children and adults to
develop compassion and critical thinking, encouraging people to become
responsible guardians for our planet, considerate consumers and
compassionate pet owners.
How you can help
It’s important that Asian countries ask their own governments to make changes to national law, which is why ACTAsia will be presenting a proposal by the people of China to the Two Session in China, in March. But internationally, there are other things we can do to help.
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