Covid-19 treatment may impact sun bear

Edinur Hisham Atan, . and Norul Hajar Che Ghazali, . and Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah, . Covid-19 treatment may impact sun bear. pp. 1-7. ISSN 2672-7226

Campaigns for global ban of wildlife trade and consumption have been carried out extensively since the emergence the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the end of 2019. However there was reportedly an initiative to use sun bear bile to treat this zoonotic disease in China. This new development may endanger sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) in Southeast Asia particularly Malaysia because around 60 of the traditional Chinese medicine shops offer the bears parts for treating various ailments. In our opinion wildlife bans and conservative efforts need to be addressed systematically by strengthening law enforcement and banning wildlife product consumption and trade on various platforms regardless of cultural belief. A movement control order is also proposed at forest reserve areas and national parks during the night or at certain periods. Collaborations are needed between enforcement agencies (e.g. Department of Wildlife and National Parks police the armed forces and Customs Department) to patrol protected forests and border smuggling points besides adoption of the latest surveillance technology to keep the trade in check (e.g. long range drones with infrared thermal imaging system and geographic information system for crime mapping). Citizens can also play their role in aiding the effort through various awareness programmes and helping enforcement agencies by joining the Peoples Volunteer Corps. Banning of wildlife trade and consumption if globally monitored and enforced may bring benefits to the world like preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases and wildlife sustainability.

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Abstract

Campaigns for global ban of wildlife trade and consumption have been carried out extensively since the emergence the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the end of 2019. However there was reportedly an initiative to use sun bear bile to treat this zoonotic disease in China. This new development may endanger sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) in Southeast Asia particularly Malaysia because around 60 of the traditional Chinese medicine shops offer the bears parts for treating various ailments. In our opinion wildlife bans and conservative efforts need to be addressed systematically by strengthening law enforcement and banning wildlife product consumption and trade on various platforms regardless of cultural belief. A movement control order is also proposed at forest reserve areas and national parks during the night or at certain periods. Collaborations are needed between enforcement agencies (e.g. Department of Wildlife and National Parks police the armed forces and Customs Department) to patrol protected forests and border smuggling points besides adoption of the latest surveillance technology to keep the trade in check (e.g. long range drones with infrared thermal imaging system and geographic information system for crime mapping). Citizens can also play their role in aiding the effort through various awareness programmes and helping enforcement agencies by joining the Peoples Volunteer Corps. Banning of wildlife trade and consumption if globally monitored and enforced may bring benefits to the world like preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases and wildlife sustainability.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Bears
AGROVOC Term:	Zoonoses
AGROVOC Term:	Coronavirus
AGROVOC Term:	Wildlife
AGROVOC Term:	Wildlife conservation
AGROVOC Term:	Disease treatment
AGROVOC Term:	Sustainability
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:55
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10713

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