WWF survey also finds overwhelming public support for action on key drivers of pandemics and nature loss’ 24 May 2021 – As the World Health Assembly opens today against a backdrop of continued suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 30% of people surveyed across China, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam and the United States say they have consumed less or stopped consuming wildlife altogether because of the health crisis. More specifically, 28% among those surveyed in China consume less wildlife … “Report: Consumption of Wildlife Drops Almost 30% Over Perceived Links to Pandemics Like COVID-19”
People in Most Countries Say Their Governments Are Doing a Poor Job of Protecting Nature and Wildlife Performance of National Government on Protecting Nature and Wildlife, Net Performance,* by Country, 2020 National governments are widely seen as being poor performers when it comes to protecting the natural world. Out of 27 countries and territories surveyed, only those in Asia and Saudi Arabia rate government mostly positively. Saudi Arabian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian respondents rate their governments positively on protecting nature … “Insight of the Week: People in Most Countries Say Their Governments Are Doing a Poor Job of Protecting Nature and Wildlife”
On May 24, WWF and GlobeScan released the results of the most comprehensive research to date in the US and Asia on public understanding and perceptions about pandemics and their connection to wildlife trade and deforestation. Given COVID-19’s origin as a zoonotic disease – one that spreads from animals to humans – people’s perceptions and behavior around the purchase of wild animals as food, pets and luxury items are of particular interest to monitor during this time. In early 2021, … “Webinar | Public Perceptions about Pandemics and Their Links to Nature”
Significant Drop in Ivory Consumption Shows Potency of Governmental Action and Social Marketing Ivory Purchase in Past 12 Months, Chinese Consumers, 2017–2020 The ivory ban implemented in 2018 led to a significant drop in ivory purchase in China, which declined 17 percentage points from 2017. In the past year, just 12 percent of Chinese consumers claim to have purchased ivory. These latest declines are likely the result of effective public campaigns to end ivory purchases. This example highlights the impact … “Insight of the Week: Significant Drop in Ivory Consumption Shows Potency of Governmental Action and Social Marketing”
Beijing, China – An annual consumer survey of the elephant ivory trade in China finds that demand for ivory continues to decrease since the country banned domestic trade in 2017 and is now less than half of pre-ban levels. Just 18 percent of consumers surveyed intend to purchase ivory in the future, a significant drop from 43 percent pre-ban. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and research organization GlobeScan, have conducted the largest consumer survey about the elephant ivory trade in China—2,000 people … “Report: Demand for Elephant Ivory in China Drops to Lowest Level Since National Ban”
Large Companies and Governments Are Seen to Be Performing Poorly in Protecting Nature and Wildlife Performance of Actors Protecting Nature and Wildlife, Net Performance,* Average of 27 Countries, 2020 In all 27 countries and territories surveyed, respondents rate “people like me” positively, with a net performance score of +34 on protecting nature and wildlife. Performance of the UN is also seen as being largely positive. In contrast, government and especially business have negative net rating scores. In Europe and North … “Insight of the Week: Large Companies and Governments Are Seen to Be Performing Poorly in Protecting Nature and Wildlife”
John Scanlon’s career, spanning 30+ years in international and national nature conservation, started in private legal practice as an environmental lawyer. He has worked for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, best known for its IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and with the UN Environment Programme. He was Secretary-General for eight years of CITES, one of the world’s oldest international environmental agreements, after which he joined African Parks as its first Special Envoy. African Parks has pioneered the … “Recognizing Leaders: John Scanlon, Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime and The Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation”
Human contact with wild animals increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, and COVID-19, which is believed to have originated from the consumption of wild animals, has shown the world just how serious this can be. However, this is not the first time Nigeria has suffered from past outbreaks of zoonotic diseases with HIV, Ebola and Lassa fever having all affected the country. To establish the level of urban bushmeat consumption in Nigeria and investigate the effects that COVID-19 is … “Webinar | Understanding and Addressing Urban Consumption of Bushmeat in Nigeria”
Charismatic animals For many years, the species that are well known and loved among the public have received the lion’s share of conservation funding. The panda became the symbol of wildlife conservation half a century ago, and for many years, elephants have been a focus for conservation followed by rhinos, tigers, and other “charismatic animals” that capture the public’s attention. Only the pangolin is an anomaly on the list, as few people have ever seen this elusive nocturnal animal. But … “How a Hapless Bat Rather than a Famous Panda May Save Wildlife”
COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the travel and tourism industry, with estimates ranging from 60% to 80% decline in international tourism for 2020, but the sector is preparing for a resumption of travel once the threat of the pandemic has subsided. In order to ensure that the renewal of international travel is a green recovery that doesn’t lead to an undoing of conservation gains made with travellers over the last few years, it is important to understand the … “Webinar | Ivory Consumption Among Chinese Travelers: Preparing for Post-COVID Tourism”