COVID-19 effects on zoos and animal conservation


I'm quoting myself from elsewhere to save repetition. Wet markets reopening is not the same as the wildlife trade restarting, and invertebrates and fish are not considered the as wild animals under the legislation. Most reporting is that the Huanan Seafood Market has not reopened. Does the report actually mention bats?

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.

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.
 
On a more positive note: both Berlin Zoos will open again on the 25th, but buildings will remain closed for now. Zoos in the region of Schleswig-Holstein (Rostock, Schwerin, Stralsund, Marlow et al.) will be allowed to open again from next week onwards. I am not sure which restrictions still apply there.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
On a more positive note: both Berlin Zoos will open again on the 25th, but buildings will remain closed for now. Zoos in the region of Schleswig-Holstein (Rostock, Schwerin, Stralsund, Marlow et al.) will be allowed to open again from next week onwards. I am not sure which restrictions still apply there.

The same applies for Rheinland-Pfalz according to Zoo Neuwied's facebook post
 
Last edited by a moderator:
That is good news about the reopening of the German zoos, even if limited. Let us just hope that people don't flock to the zoos in giant crowds, as we really cannot have that yet right now. Has there been any talk about face masks and/or social distancing at the reopening zoos yet?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
On a more positive note: both Berlin Zoos will open again on the 25th, but buildings will remain closed for now. Zoos in the region of Schleswig-Holstein (Rostock, Schwerin, Stralsund, Marlow et al.) will be allowed to open again from next week onwards. I am not sure which restrictions still apply there.

Every time we hear news from Germany, the dates are different and contradictory.
I guess this is inevitable, but it is certainly not helping our lobbying here in the UK...
 
Every time we hear news from Germany, the dates are different and contradictory.
I guess this is inevitable, but it is certainly not helping our lobbying here in the UK...

That is because the federal government has no final powers, they can advise things (earlier news). The most recent news are decisions made by two regional governments, who have the final say in these matters, so you can be assured this will remain so. The exact conditions on re-opening will probably become clear in the coming days.
 
That is because the federal government has no final powers, they can advise things (earlier news). The most recent news are decisions made by two regional governments, who have the final say in these matters, so you can be assured this will remain so. The exact conditions on re-opening will probably become clear in the coming days.

Whether I can be assured or not, doesn't really matter. Much of the worlds media portrays Germany as one unified country, and does not detail these contradictions/differences. Certainly the BBC has made no mention of this when covering recent stories about German zoo directors threats to euthanase animals.
As ever, we watch with interest.
 
Last edited:
Whether I can be assured or not, doesn't really matter. Much of the worlds media portrays Germany as one unified country, and certainly does not detail these contradictions/differences. Certainly the BBC has made no mention of this when covering recent stories about German zoo directors threats to euthanase animals.
As ever, we watch with interest.

The BBC story was basically outdated by the time it went viral, all the recent developments happened in the meantime since that story was first published in Germany (days before picked up by international media) and today. That said the zoo in question is in a different Bundesland (federal country), which has not given the green light on reopening zoos yet.

Let me spell it out one more time for you. Germany is a Federal Republic with a central goverment, but the individual Bundesländer have large power in the day to day rulings within their respective jurisdiction, e.g. they all have their own constitution. This means that outwards Germany is very much unified as things like defence and foreign affairs are the role of the federal government, but internal politics are much more complex. This can be traced to the origin of the modern country of Germany which until 200 years ago was a collection of dozens of independent states/kingdoms. Contrary to the UK it was not unified until very recently. For the handling of COVID-19 this means that although the federal government can advice on what to do for the whole country, the actual implementation and specific measures are the jurisdiction of the individual Bundesländer. In a way this is quite similar to the US. If you want to read more the wikipedia pages on German history and politics are quite good and thorough.

On another note, the Bundesland of Thüringen also allows zoos to open again, with the Thüringer Zoopark in Erfurt opening again on the 27th. Specific details are not known yet on how this opening will be implemented. Also Rheinland-Pfalz (Zoo Neuwied) will allow zoos to open again next week.
 
The BBC story was basically outdated by the time it went viral, all the recent developments happened in the meantime since that story was first published in Germany (days before picked up by international media) and today. That said the zoo in question is in a different Bundesland (federal country), which has not given the green light on reopening zoos yet.

Let me spell it out one more time for you. Germany is a Federal Republic with a central goverment, but the individual Bundesländer have large power in the day to day rulings within their respective jurisdiction, e.g. they all have their own constitution. This means that outwards Germany is very much unified as things like defence and foreign affairs are the role of the federal government, but internal politics are much more complex. This can be traced to the origin of the modern country of Germany which until 200 years ago was a collection of dozens of independent states/kingdoms. Contrary to the UK it was not unified until very recently. For the handling of COVID-19 this means that although the federal government can advice on what to do for the whole country, the actual implementation and specific measures are the jurisdiction of the individual Bundesländer. In a way this is quite similar to the US. If you want to read more the wikipedia pages on German history and politics are quite good and thorough.

On another note, the Bundesland of Thüringen also allows zoos to open again, with the Thüringer Zoopark in Erfurt opening again on the 27th. Specific details are not known yet on how this opening will be implemented. Also Rheinland-Pfalz (Zoo Neuwied) will allow zoos to open again next week.

Thank your for your somewhat impatient but rather un-necessary repetition. In the same way that I am not personally responsible for the BBC's editorial [policy, I do have rather more knowledge of Germany than you give me credit for

Pointing out something - does not automatically mean that it is anyone's personal opinion or responsibility - something which is often forgotten by contributors on here...
 
Czech zoos are now asking the government to be allowed to open earlier than the previously stated 25th May and these reports from Germany might help in boosting their efforts.

According to the director of Zoopark Na Hrádečku, from 28 addressed zoos, 25 are supporting the earlier opening.
 
The WCS has conducted a small study evaluating the risk of COVID-19 infection in wild big cat populations. Their conclusion, unsurprisingly, is that wild cats are at low risk given the rarity of Human to felid transmission and the relatively mild symptoms observed in the Bronx Zoo animals.

~Thylo
 
in Denmark the Skandinavisk Dyrepark (a Wildpark style zoo) will open again on May 8th with some provisions in place (indoor areas closed, sanitizers present, no mention of limiting visitor numbers yet). Other Danish Zoos mention on their website they are preliminary closed until May 10-11. Whether they will reopen this is unclear to me.
 
In Switzerland, Zoo Zürich is planning for an opening on June 8th, this is based on a decision from the Bundesrat (=national government). So presumably is also valid for other Swiss zoos, but I haven't seen a notification on their websites yet.
 
Given the latest speech from Mark Rutte (Prime Minister of the Netherlands), it seems like our zoos will remain closed until at least the 20th of May. What will happen afterwards will be made clear in due time.
 
in Denmark the Skandinavisk Dyrepark (a Wildpark style zoo) will open again on May 8th with some provisions in place (indoor areas closed, sanitizers present, no mention of limiting visitor numbers yet). Other Danish Zoos mention on their website they are preliminary closed until May 10-11. Whether they will reopen this is unclear to me.

Copenhagen Zoo will open this Thursday, but only for selected local kindergartens until May. Ree Park, Munkholm Zoo, Aalborg Zoo, and Odense Zoo have also been green-lit to open within the next few weeks, with the same provisions as Skandinavisk Dyrepark. As the ban against gatherings of more than 10 people is much stricter when it comes to indoor spaces, the aquaria and indoor zoos (like Randers Regnskov) are not allowed to open yet. It remains to be seen whether they will open at all during this summer ("large gatherings" have been banned until the end of August, and this includes festivals, but it remains a bit vague what else it'll include - major museums and indoor zoo exhibits are among the guesses).
 
Just seen on Facebook that the Berlin collections (Zoo and Tierpark) are due to reopen on April 28th. Entry will be with pre-booked tickets and timeslot only (members must also book a day and timeslot). Animal houses, play areas and the Aquarium will remain closed.
 
Copenhagen Zoo will open this Thursday, but only for selected local kindergartens until May. Ree Park, Munkholm Zoo, Aalborg Zoo, and Odense Zoo have also been green-lit to open within the next few weeks, with the same provisions as Skandinavisk Dyrepark. As the ban against gatherings of more than 10 people is much stricter when it comes to indoor spaces, the aquaria and indoor zoos (like Randers Regnskov) are not allowed to open yet. It remains to be seen whether they will open at all during this summer ("large gatherings" have been banned until the end of August, and this includes festivals, but it remains a bit vague what else it'll include - major museums and indoor zoo exhibits are among the guesses).

The State Police have suddenly changed their guidelines as of tonight, so it seems like the aforementioned zoos will not open in early May... The current ban of gatherings of more than 10 people lasts until May 10th, so time will tell what happens by then.
 
Back
Top