A new report from the International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade warns that the global trade in live wild animals is fueling the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases and future pandemics. The white paper, titled 'Live Wildlife Trade and Markets,' examines how the capture, transport, sale, and keeping of live wild animals create opportunities for pathogens to move between wildlife, domestic animals, and people.
Key findings of the report
The report emphasizes that both legal and illegal wildlife trade can create conditions favoring pathogen transmission when wild animals are removed from their natural habitats, transported long distances, mixed with other species, and brought into close contact with people. Dr. Chris Walzer, Executive Director of Health at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and one of the authors, stated: 'Pandemic prevention cannot begin after a disease outbreak has already started. The most effective and affordable approach is to reduce the conditions that allow dangerous pathogens to emerge and spread in the first place.'
Zoonotic disease origins
According to the report, nearly three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases affecting people originate in animals, with many originating in wildlife. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the enormous human and economic costs, including millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic losses. The paper argues that prevention measures are significantly less expensive than responding to outbreaks after they occur.
Joe Walston, Executive Vice President for Global Conservation at WCS, noted: 'The next pandemic is far more likely to be prevented in a forest, a marketplace, or a wildlife trade supply chain than in a hospital. This report shows that protecting wildlife and reducing risky trade practices are essential investments in a safer future.'
International exotic pet trade
The report highlights the role of the international exotic pet trade, where millions of animals move each year through complex supply chains. Gaps in monitoring, health screening, and traceability make it difficult to assess and manage disease risks. Existing legal and regulatory systems are often poorly aligned with disease prevention goals.
Recommendations for reducing risks
To reduce future risks, the authors recommend stronger prevention-oriented policies, including improved surveillance, health screening, quarantine measures, traceability systems, hygiene standards, enforcement, public education, and demand-reduction efforts where wildlife use is discretionary or driven by commercial markets.
The report stresses that solutions must be fair and practical, recognizing that some communities rely on wildlife for food security and livelihoods. However, such considerations should not justify large-scale commercial wildlife trade that increases risks. Dr. Walzer concluded: 'Being prepared for the next pandemic is essential, but preparedness should never be confused with prevention. The most effective and cost-efficient approach is to reduce the risk of pathogen spillover before local outbreaks become regional epidemics or global pandemics.'
