Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

DURING a recent exploration of TikTok, I came across an account blatantly selling various wildlife species. The sellers openly shared phone numbers for contact, making it disturbingly easy for anyone to engage in these illegal transactions. 

This brazen activity is not just limited to one account; traffickers often create multiple fake accounts to evade detection by authorities such as the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan). 

The transport methods used by these traffickers are appallingly inhumane. It is unimaginable to think of a clouded leopard cub or flat-headed kitten being shoved into a box and transported for hours via courier services to the buyer’s home. 

Clamping down on these illicit activities is obviously a daunting challenge. Traffickers continuously find new ways to bypass regulations and detection. This is where the public’s role becomes crucial. 

The demand for wild animals as pets drives the supply, leading to relentless poaching and trafficking. 

Furthermore, the illegal exploitation of wildlife has dire consequences beyond animal welfare. The recent global health crisis highlighted the critical link between wildlife trafficking and the emergence of zoonotic diseases. 

Many infectious diseases, including Covid-19, have origins in wildlife. The unsanitary and stressful conditions in which trafficked animals are kept create breeding grounds for pathogens, increasing the risk of spillover events where diseases jump from animals to humans. The connection between wildlife trafficking and global health cannot be overstated. 

The illegal wildlife trade involves capturing animals from their natural habitats and subjecting them to severe stress and poor living conditions. 

These factors create an environment conducive to the spread of infectious diseases. When wild animals are kept in close proximity to humans, especially in markets or during transport, the chances of zoonotic disease transmission increase significantly.

Social media platforms, including TikTok, must take responsibility for their role in facilitating wildlife trafficking. These platforms need to implement stricter policies and monitoring systems to identify and shut down accounts engaged in illegal wildlife trade. 

By doing so, they can help curb the spread of this illicit activity and protect both wildlife and public health. Raising public awareness about the dangers of wildlife trafficking is essential. 

Many people may not realise the severe consequences of buying wild animals as pets. Educating the public about the suffering these animals endure in captivity and the potential health risks they pose can help reduce demand. 

Wildlife belongs in the wild, where they can live freely and contribute to the balance of their ecosystems. Combating wildlife trafficking requires stronger enforcement of existing laws and greater international cooperation. 

Authorities must be equipped with the resources and support needed to track and apprehend traffickers. International collaboration is also crucial, as wildlife trafficking is a global issue that transcends borders. 

Sharing information and best practices can enhance efforts to dismantle trafficking networks.

Supporting organisations dedicated to wildlife conservation is another vital step the public can take. These organisations work tirelessly to rescue trafficked animals, rehabilitate them, and reintroduce them into the wild whenever possible. 

Donating to or volunteering with these organisations can make a significant difference in the fight against wildlife trafficking.

The battle against wildlife trafficking seems unwinnable, but by raising awareness and taking collective action, we can make a significant impact. 

Let us work together to protect our precious wildlife, ensure they remain in their natural habitats, and safeguard public health from the risks posed by illegal wildlife exploitation. 

Every act against wildlife trafficking is a step towards preserving the beauty and balance of our natural world. When we stop the trade, we save lives, protect ecosystems, and secure a healthier planet for future generations.

SNI

The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.

If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]