Conservation experts are saying that the trade wildlife could be greatly cut the coronavirus pandemic has finished. They say that the virus probably started a market selling wild animals China. The virus came from either a bat or an animal called a pangolin. It then crossed to infect humans. The conservation group Humane Society International said: "The consumption wild animals which can carry diseases that can cross the species barrier poses a real threat to human health." The Wildlife Conservation Society called a ban of animal markets that trade in wildlife. It said: "Not only will this help to prevent the spread disease, it will address one of the major drivers species extinction."
A spokesman the Zoological Society of London said animal markets could be "time bombs". He said the markets can provide perfect conditions new viruses to start and grow. He added that if we treated animals like goods to buy and sell, we would be trouble again in the future. Scientists say many new outbreaks viruses start animals. About 75 per cent new infectious diseases come from animals. Recent examples include SARS, MERS and Ebola. Infections animals cause millions illnesses and deaths worldwide every year. An expert said the world must act soon, because, "realistically, it's just a matter time before the next zoonotic disease risk emerges".
