Bushmeat consumption and illegal wildlife trade and the spread of diseases

[amur leopard]

{Note from mods - this thread split from here: How has COVID-19 affected you personally?}




China has reacted to the virus by banning all trade of terrestrial wild animals for human consumption, whether wild-caught or captive-bred. This means that species such as pangolins who are occasionally eaten as a delicacy in China would have an additional layer of protection.

Equally, Ebola broke out due to the illegal wildlife trade, so it is highly likely that coronavirus did likewise.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Equally, Ebola broke out due to the illegal wildlife trade

As a matter of fact, it didn't it appears the various strains of Ebola (and the related Marburg) naturally occur in various bat species throughout Central and West Africa, and occasionally cross into humans where they interact.... and seemingly have done so for many decades prior to the viruses being described by western science.

 

[amur leopard]

and occasionally cross into humans where they interact....

When do they interact? I reckon they interact the most through the bushmeat trade, which is why Sierra Leone has imposed bans on the bushmeat trade...

 

[TeaLovingDave]

When do they interact? I reckon they interact the most through the bushmeat trade, which is why Sierra Leone has imposed bans on the bushmeat trade...

Well, firstly it must be remembered that local-level consumption of bushmeat is not necessarily the same thing as the illegal wildlife trade. Secondly, transmission can also occur through guano, saliva and fomites which have come into contact with the bats - particularly if wild bats occur in close proximity to human habitation. For instance, the 2014-16 epidemic is believed to have originated with a colony of Mops condylurus found within the village where the index case died, and after decades of speculation it has now been established that the Rousettus aegyptiacus roosting within Kitum Cave in Kenya represent a natural reservoir population for Marburg, with inhalation of powdered guano being held responsible for the deaths of two European visitors to the cave.

 

[amur leopard]

Well, firstly it must be remembered that local-level consumption of bushmeat is not necessarily the same thing as the illegal wildlife trade. Secondly, transmission can also occur through guano, saliva and fomites which have come into contact with the bats - particularly if wild bats occur in close proximity to human habitation. For instance, the 2014-16 epidemic is believed to have originated with a colony of Mops condylurus found within the village where the index case died, and after decades of speculation it has now been established that the Rousettus aegyptiacus roosting within Kitum Cave in Kenya represent a natural reservoir population for Marburg, with inhalation of powdered guano being held responsible for the deaths of two European visitors to the cave.

That is interesting, I never knew about that, so thanks for drawing my attention to it. However, bushmeat trading was held responsible for the outbreak, at least by Sierra Leone, the hardest hit by the outbreak and therefore the country most likely to want to investigate the causes and come out with the correct answer. In that way, I think, though you are an extremely reliable source on all matters zoo-related and much more beyond and with all due respect, Sierra Leone's government co-operating with the WHO (however weak WHO's response to Ebola might have been) probably has more grounds to suspect it was bushmeat than you to suspect otherwise. However, I hear your points that Ebola can be transmitted through other means, and the guano story is a very interesting one which I will look further into.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

However, bushmeat trading was held responsible for the outbreak, at least by Sierra Leone, the hardest hit by the outbreak and therefore the country most likely to want to investigate the causes and come out with the correct answer.

Sierra Leone's government co-operating with the WHO (however weak WHO's response to Ebola might have been) probably has more grounds to suspect it was bushmeat than you to suspect otherwise.

Sierra Leone's first cases were in May 2014, and were conclusively traced to the funeral of a local healer who had contracted the virus across the border in Guinea:

First WHO report on these cases: Ebola virus disease, West Africa (Update of 26 May 2014) - WHO | Regional Office for Africa

WHO report confirming this cluster originated from the funeral of a single individual: WHO | Sierra Leone: a traditional healer and a funeral

The first case in Guinea was in December 2013, six months beforehand, and as noted was pinned down to a single two-year old child:

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1404505

Tracing the Ebola outbreak

So you are entirely incorrect to say that the WHO made such judgements

 

[amur leopard]

Sierra Leone's first cases were in May 2014, and were conclusively traced to the funeral of a local healer who had contracted the virus across the border in Guinea:

First WHO report on these cases: Ebola virus disease, West Africa (Update of 26 May 2014) - WHO | Regional Office for Africa

WHO report confirming this cluster originated from the funeral of a single individual: WHO | Sierra Leone: a traditional healer and a funeral

The first case in Guinea was in December 2013, six months beforehand, and as noted was pinned down to a single two-year old child:

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1404505

Tracing the Ebola outbreak

So you are entirely incorrect to say that the WHO made such judgements

But the more recent outbreak in the DRC has been linked heavily to bushmeat trading, and Sierra Leone still felt the need to ban the bushmeat trade, despite, as you correctly cite, the disease originating from a man migrating in from Guinea.

Essentially, all I am saying with all of this is that, if only for no other reason, the bushmeat and illegal wildlife trades either have already unleashed major viruses and diseases across the globe or will in the future, it is just a matter of time, and even if the endangerment of hundreds to animal species and the unbalancing of ecosystems worldwide isn't enough to urge the governments to take action, a quarter trillion lass for the economy should.

In conclusion, I am not saying anything particularly deep, or anything I though would be particularly up to debate on a site full of animal lovers: that these industries and trades should be banned full stop, and action should be taken by especially affected governments to curb the augmentation of the frequency of these diseases that originate, beyond all doubt, from wildlife.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

despite, as you correctly cite, the disease originating from a man migrating in from Guinea.

Woman

 

[Andrew Swales]

If I have learnt one thing from history classes

As you have been told on here before, you must always remember that some people, (including some on here) have access to contacts, information and experience which is direct and personal, and not just obtained through classes..

 

[FunkyGibbon]

We need to make a distinction between wildlife consumption and wet markets. I've been to several and although I've seen live chickens and seafood (incl. freshwater animals), I've never seen other wildlife. Mostly what is sold is fresh meat, vegetables and then other goods, certainly in conditions that would be considered unhygienic in Western Europe today. These places aren't going to cease existing, it will take time to phase them out.

Wildlife consumption is linked to Southern China. Where it happens those live animals will be purchased in wet markets. In Wuhan trading live animals was halted in early January, and nationwide in late January. The nation went into lockdown at the beginning of February. I do not think that wet markets were closed before the lockdown, just that live animals could not be sold in them. In late February a much heralded ban on the consumption of wildlife was announced, with widespread public support.

Wet markets have now reopened, but there are lots of wrinkles here. Filming and reporting from inside them is highly restricted, so we don't know exactly what's going on (also in Wuhan they, like all stores, are operating on a sort of walk-past model; there are large barriers around them and people order from outside). I would assume that local officials, nationwide, have been given very strict instructions to make sure that the trade in wildlife does not restart in these places. I would also assume in some places it will happen anyway. Whether live domestic animals have reappeared would be an interesting question.

A complicating factor is that in February everyone in China believed the virus had originated from the wild animal market in Wuhan and there was widespread support for the permanent ceasing of such practices. Now most people in China believe that the virus was brought to Wuhan by the American military. I've not yet got a sense of whether this has impacted public opinion of wildlife consumption or not.

However, last week China announced a consultation phase on making the ban on the consumption of wildlife permanent, in effect: 新版《国家畜禽遗传资源目录》征求意见，这些动物可食用
(link in Chinese, because it's the only one I've found with the full list of exempt species)

Here are some passages, translated (by Google not me):

According to the introduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the "Catalogue" includes a total of 31 species of domestic and traditional livestock and poultry, basically realizing that domesticated livestock and poultry should be listed. This includes:

18 kinds of traditional livestock and poultry: pigs, ordinary cattle, zebu, buffalo, yak, large cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, camels, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, quails, etc

13 species of special livestock: sika deer, red deer, reindeer, alpaca, guinea fowl, pheasant, partridge, mallard, ostrich, mink, silver fox, blue fox, raccoon dog, etc.

Notice there are several fur species included, I believe I read that the use of these animals for food will be illegal but I can't find a reference for that now.

Recently, a number of experts and scholars and representatives of the National People's Congress jointly proposed to remove the artificially cultivated terrestrial wild animals that have been included in the catalog for food purposes, re-establish the livestock genetic resources catalog, and establish a feasibility evaluation index system. According to the relevant content of the decision, it is forbidden to add the terrestrial wild animals cultivated for the purpose of food to the catalog; whether other artificially propagated wild animals can be included is subject to a rigorous evaluation and review.

If this legislation is not amended and properly implemented it will be a big step forward. However, it won't address the existing illegal trade in wildlife; presumably in fact it is going to increase it significantly. It also won't improve the welfare conditions for species that are still farmed, another key concern. There is still much to be done.

 

[Andrew Swales]

(link in Chinese, because it's the only one I've found with the full list of exempt species)

Here are some passages, translated (by Google not me):

According to the introduction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the "Catalogue" includes a total of 31 species of domestic and traditional livestock and poultry, basically realizing that domesticated livestock and poultry should be listed. This includes:

18 kinds of traditional livestock and poultry: pigs, ordinary cattle, zebu, buffalo, yak, large cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, camels, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, quails, etc

13 species of special livestock: sika deer, red deer, reindeer, alpaca, guinea fowl, pheasant, partridge, mallard, ostrich, mink, silver fox, blue fox, raccoon dog, etc.

Notice there are several fur species included, I believe I read that the use of these animals for food will be illegal but I can't find a reference for that now.

It is interesting that China's new list of species approved for human consumption is much shorter than that eaten in the west, including the UK.

 

[Ding Lingwei]

18 kinds of traditional livestock and poultry: pigs, ordinary cattle, zebu, buffalo, yak, large cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, camels, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, quails.

The “large cattle” here refers to gayal, according to the Chinese link.

Based on my observation from Weibo the majority of the public still supports a complete ban of wildlife consumption, however thanks to the recent propaganda it is no longer a trending topic. Besides what has been mentioned above, another concern is how to deal with the existing huge stock of farmed wildlife not listed here (bamboo rats, Chinese giant salamanders, etc). The new legislation has already mentioned the possibility of releasing the farmed local species back to their “nature habitats”, which could lead to an ecological disaster given how the old wildlife protection law is implemented.

 

[FunkyGibbon]

Exclusive: GT probes in Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou refute US slander - Global Times

This rather long article makes for quite good reading. The Global Times is a Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece, so bear that in mind when you read it. Much of what it says about wet markets, and indeed wild animal selling in Wuhan, is measured and reasonable.

Key points are that wet markets are still the predominant source of fresh produce for Chinese people, that there exist good incentives for hygiene since consumers can take their business elsewhere, that wildlife selling was uncommon but certainly not unheard of and that it has now ceased. Worth noting that the crab merchant who says you'd be crazy to sell wild animals now almost certainly sells live crabs.

Most of this matches my own experience, although I can't speak to certification issues or off-site checks. The only part I take issue with is the assertion the live poultry sales stopped a long time ago; I've seen with my own eyes that this isn't (wasn't) the case.

The last section is a response to a Wall Street Journal article ( WSJ News Exclusive | Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, China Bans Domestic Trade of Wild Animals, but Offers Tax Breaks for Exports ) that
says China plans to continue to export wild animal products despite banning them domestically. I recommend everyone to read it. It is an indignant and agrieved non-rebuttal.

 

[FunkyGibbon]

Exclusive: GT probes in Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou refute US slander - Global Times

This rather long article makes for quite good reading. The Global Times is a Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece, so bear that in mind when you read it. Much of what it says about wet markets, and indeed wild animal selling in Wuhan, is measured and reasonable.

Key points are that wet markets are still the predominant source of fresh produce for Chinese people, that there exist good incentives for hygiene since consumers can take their business elsewhere, that wildlife selling was uncommon but certainly not unheard of and that it has now ceased. Worth noting that the crab merchant who says you'd be crazy to sell wild animals now almost certainly sells live crabs.

Most of this matches my own experience, although I can't speak to certification issues or off-site checks. The only part I take issue with is the assertion the live poultry sales stopped a long time ago; I've seen with my own eyes that this isn't (wasn't) the case.

The last section is a response to a Wall Street Journal article ( WSJ News Exclusive | Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, China Bans Domestic Trade of Wild Animals, but Offers Tax Breaks for Exports ) that
says China plans to continue to export wild animal products despite banning them domestically. I recommend everyone to read it. It is an indignant and agrieved non-rebuttal.

This also caught my eye:

"Although the official livestock catalog of the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs hasn't been released yet, snakes aren't listed in the draft. Once it's released, snakes can't be put on dinning tables. Qiu Guoqiang, head of the Deqing Wetland and Wildlife Protection Administration in East China's Zhejiang Province, told the Global Times."*

Despite his title, I think Qiu is misinterpreting the draft. It lacks not only any snake species, but also turtles, frogs and most notably fish. I think it is intended to apply only to warm-blooded classes. Possibly @Ding Lingwei might shed a little more light here?

*I've edited this for clarity. He goes on to reassure readers that snakes will still be farmed for their medicinal products even if they can't be eaten.

 

[KevinB]

After reading the reports of the reopening of wet markets (possibly even including wildlife trade) and the recommendation to use bear bile as a Covid-19 cure, I don't think we should put any trust in any sort of real improvement in animal-related policies in China before we actually see sustained proof of permanent change.

It will be a long road before this whole cultural tradition of wildlife consumption finally ends in China, and unless it is tackled more seriously this time around we can probably expect more disease outbreaks and pandemics to come out of China in the future.

 

[Andrew Swales]

How would you differentiate between 'bush-meat' consumption in the third World, and the consumption of wild animals in the west?

 

[amur leopard]

How would you differentiate between 'bush-meat' consumption in the third World, and the consumption of wild animals in the west?

Could you give an example of wild animals consumed in the west? I've never come across any personally, although I do know people who have eaten ostrich, zebra and other exotic meats. Is this what you mean or more along the lines of frog legs or snails? Or even venison?

 

[Andrew Swales]

Could you give an example of wild animals consumed in the west? I've never come across any personally, although I do know people who have eaten ostrich, zebra and other exotic meats. Is this what you mean or more along the lines of frog legs or snails? Or even venison?

You cannot have been to a butchers or a supermarket...!

It is a very long list... If you ignore fish, then off the top of my head, direct from the wild: at least 5spp of deer, wild boar, rabbit, two species of hare, 'game' birds like pheasants, numerous partridge and grouse spp, pigeons, wildfowl including ducks and geese of many spp, waders like snipe and woodcock; and in southern Europe migratory songbirds. Maybe other spp in other countries.

Extending it to exotic spp which may or may not have been famed, yes those species you list plus say kangaroo, bison, buffalo etc. An interesting example is a farm local to us which is (was! - edit) mporting live crocodiles from the far-east for processing and sale through its farm shop.

Just curious as to where the definition of 'bush-meat' starts and stops....

 

[Andrew Swales]

You cannot have been to a butchers or a supermarket...!

It is a very long list... If you ignore fish, then off the top of my head, direct from the wild: at least 5spp of deer, wild boar, rabbit, two species of hare, 'game' birds like pheasants, numerous partridge and grouse spp, pigeons, wildfowl including ducks and geese of many spp, waders like snipe and woodcock; and in southern Europe migratory songbirds. Maybe other spp in other countries.

Extending it to exotic spp which may or may not have been farmed, yes those species you list plus say kangaroo, bison, buffalo etc. An interesting example is a farm local to us which is (was! - edit) importing live crocodiles from the far-east for processing and sale through its farm shop.

Just curious as to where the definition of 'bush-meat' starts and stops....

Had to re-post as this system is set so you cant edit or even just spell-correct after a short period

 

[Simon Hampel]

Could you give an example of wild animals consumed in the west? I've never come across any personally, although I do know people who have eaten ostrich, zebra and other exotic meats. Is this what you mean or more along the lines of frog legs or snails? Or even venison?

In Australia, it is very common to see kangaroo, emu and crocodile served in restaurants.

One restaurant I dined at in Canberra many years ago served a "coat of arms" dish, which consisted of kangaroo on one side, emu on the other and some native vegetables in the middle. It was very tasty.

You can buy kangaroo in many supermarkets. It's a very lean meat - takes a bit of skill to cook it without it drying out and becoming very tough. My wife's uncle was a butcher and made a kangaroo metwurst which was apparently very popular.

Our kangaroos, emus and crocodiles are hardly endangered and many are farmed for their meat.

Hunting of feral animals for food is widely considered acceptable (amongst the omnivores in our society anyway ) and helps the native environment too! In Australia, we have plentiful:

• rabbits (although viruses introduced to control their population has put them off most people's menus)
• deer
• camels
• pigs
• goats (huge export market opportunity!)
• foxes (although I've not heard of anyone hunting them for meat - my cousin's husband used to make a living hunting them for their pelt)
• cane toad (lots of them, nobody wants to eat them - eww!)
• donkey (again, not heard of anyone wanting to eat them)
• water buffalo (challenging to deal with given the size and temperament - but could be opportunities there? I wonder what they taste like?)

"Feral" is very different to "wild" though.

@Chlidonias does anyone in NZ eat our Australian possums which are considered feral pests over there?