IPB University Expert: Illegal Wildlife Trade Triggers Risk of New Pandemic
Indonesia’s high biodiversity is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is a national treasure; on the other, it attracts networks of illegal wildlife trade.
Prof Ronny Rachman Noor, an expert in Ecological Genetics at IPB University, warns that this illegal activity is not merely a conservation issue but a real threat to global public health through the transmission of zoonotic diseases.
However, there is a high price that humans must pay beyond the loss of species in the wild, namely the increased risk of disease transmission from animals to humans, or zoonosis.
Prof Ronny Rachman Noor explains that mammals traded globally have a higher vulnerability to carrying pathogens.
“Research from the University of Fribourg shows that globally traded mammals are 1.5 times more at risk of becoming zoonotic hosts compared to those not traded. Pathogens commonly found include coronaviruses, influenza, rabies, and zoonotic parasites,” said Prof Ronny, quoted from the IPB University website.
The condition of wildlife during the trading process is a key factor in disease spread. Wild animals that are captured usually experience severe stress, which impacts the decline of their immune systems. This condition triggers the release of viruses or bacteria from within the animals’ bodies.
During transportation, wildlife is often placed in cramped cages and mixed with other species. This forced interaction between species increases the likelihood of pathogen exchange that would not occur in the wild.
Transmission routes to humans are highly varied, from direct contact with blood, meat, and body fluids during sales or consumption. Even the risk persists if the animals are turned into pets.
“The case of illegal trade in king pheasants, agile gibbons, and golden cats in West Sumatra in 2022 demonstrates the potential for pathogen spread that could infect humans,” explained Prof Ronny.
Globally, history has recorded that major outbreaks such as SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 are closely linked to human-wildlife interactions. Prof Ronny emphasises that trade via social media now expands reach without any health oversight.
“From a public health perspective, this trade has the potential to trigger a new pandemic with enormous mitigation costs,” he stressed.
Habitat destruction also plays an important role. When their natural homes are damaged, pathogens that were previously locked in wild ecosystems will shift to human populations.
Genetic and species diversity is a natural fortress that maintains ecosystem balance to prevent food or health crises.
“Biodiversity is the core of human health. Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity is the main foundation for human survival. Illegal wildlife trade is not only a conservation threat but also a global health threat,” he concluded.