Back then, in the 1940s, there was little awareness of the consequences of snatching species from their natural habitats. Eighty-one bats, mainly from ­Madagascar, came, even though this family of animals has been linked to zoonotic diseases. World Animal Protection described the wildlife trade as “a lethal hotbed of disease”. Imported animals can also pose a threat to native ­wildlife. The trade in commercial ­wildlife must be banned to protect the welfare of species, humans and, ultimately, the health of the planet too.

Source: Daily Mirror September 28, 2020 04:13 UTC