SANDAKAN – Humans should know that viruses, including Covid-19, spread their deadly tentacles because mankind disrespects wildlife, according to wildlife biologist Dr Wong Siew Te.
Wong said the current pandemic is the culmination of human beings encroaching on wildlife habitats, consuming wildlife as part of their diet, and keeping wildlife as pets.
“All this while, they (viruses) have been in the forests, away from people but when people start to eat these wild animals, the virus (Covid-19), which is believed to have originated from bats, possibly jumped from their hosts, such as the pangolin, to infect humans.
“We know that by eating wildlife and having this close contact with wildlife, there is a possibility that the virus in the wildlife will jump from their host to attack humans. We have had cases such as this in Malaysia.
“The Nipah virus is a very good example. About 20 years ago, the virus emerged in Bukit Pelanduk, Negri Sembilan.
“Fruit bats carried the Nipah virus, and then its droppings were eaten by pigs in a pig farm. So, the pigs got the virus, and the virus then jumped hosts to the pig farmer.
“At the time, the virus had become so aggressive that the mortality rate was at over 30%. That was why more than 100 people died from the virus.
“This happened in Malaysia before, so we know that there is a possibility of such a virus emerging again.
“If we continue to exploit wildlife as food and as pets, it is just a matter of time before a new virus appears,” he said.
Wong added there are a lot other viruses in the past that are believed to be linked to wildlife, including HIV, the Ebola virus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome–related coronavirus (MERS virus), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS virus).
“It has happened multiple times in the past. It it is time that we learn from history. If we don’t, it will happen again.
“Because of the behaviour of a few people who harmed wildlife and keep them as pets, the whole world suffered.
“No one can escape from this pandemic, so we need to learn to live harmoniously with nature,” he said.
Wong, who is also the founder and chief executive officer of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, opined that the government and policymakers should make decisions based on accurate scientific data, and not focus solely on profit.
“They need to seek a fine balance between the economy and nature. We need to take care of nature as we need to have a healthy environment for economic development to thrive,” he said. –The Vibes, January 9, 2021
