COVID-19 Has Slashed Asia's Appetite for Wild Animals, a New Report Finds.

Rural poor; Emerging infectious diseases; Developing countries; Agriculture; Exotic animals

The article focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wildlife consumption and the livelihoods of those involved in the wildlife trade, particularly in China. Li Hong, a snake farmer in Hunan province, experienced a significant loss of income due to a government ban on the sale of wild animals, which was implemented to mitigate the risk of zoonotic diseases. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports a shift in public attitudes towards wildlife consumption, with many individuals in China and other surveyed countries reducing or ceasing their consumption of wildlife. Despite this change, a small percentage of consumers remain committed to purchasing wildlife products, and the future of wildlife farming remains uncertain for individuals like Li, who are now exploring alternative agricultural ventures. [Extracted from the article]

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