Asian and African airports pave the "Runway to Extinction"
According to "Runway to Extinction", the most comprehensive assessment of wildlife trafficking in the air transport sector to date, published last month, by far most "trade lanes" pass through Asia and Africa. The reports builds on the previous Routes (reducing opportunities for unlawful transport of endangered species) reports, Flying Under the Radar (2017) and In Plane Sight (2018), and underlines that illegal wildlife trade is a risk factor for the spread of zoonotic diseases.
Michelle Owen, Routes lead: "Faced with the current health crisis (...), the world is unfortunately grappling with the danger and economic turmoil that zoonotic diseases can pose. Trafficked wildlife present particular risks in this context. By training staff (...), airports and airlines can help strengthen their operations and can play a role in reducing the risk of future outbreaks." (ah)