WE welcome China’s recent decision to temporarily ban the trade in wildlife, one of several measures being takento control the spread of the novel coronavirus. A permanent ban, however, would help to both protect human health and end the appalling illegal wildlife trade. World Health Organisation (WHO) experts say there’s a high likelihood the novel coronavirus came from bats. Experts credit China’s ban on the import of ivory, after years of international pressure, as having helped ease the threat of elephant extinction. Let’s hope the authorities act as they did on ivory and make the ban on wildlife trade permanent.

Source: New Strait Times February 10, 2020 16:07 UTC