Assessing the Impacts of Global Wildlife Trade

Approximately, 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases affecting humans today is of zoonotic origin (a disease that jumps from a wild or domestic animal reservoir and spreads to humans).  A rising number of these diseases such as SARS, monkeypox, and HIV are spread around the world due to trade in wildlife. These diseases have serious public health, economic and conservation consequences. The devastating effects of HIV/AIDS have resulted in more than 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide.

Current policy regarding the trade in wildlife is inadequate and needs to be readdressed. The regulations on the importation of wildlife are minimal. The U.S. imports millions of live animals each year, with approximately one-quarter of those imports coming through the ports of New York City.  Most of these animals are not tested for relevant or known diseases. Only commercial imports of birds and some livestock species are submitted to testing.  Furthermore, routine health monitoring mechanisms for reptiles, amphibians and fish are non-existent.

Wildlife Trust is working to strengthen the regulations on wildlife trade to stop new disease threats. Our goals for the program are:

• Examining the global impact of wildlife trade on emerging diseases
• Determining what wildlife species are imported into New York each year
• Assessing the risk that these species pose to the health of people through introduction of alien pathogens
• Making policy recommendations on disease screening for imported wild animals and changes in which animals should be imported

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