Coronavirus and the exotic animal trade: End the latter to contain the former

The new coronavirus, COVID-19, is a major international health concern. Here in the United States, the situation at the moment isn’t especially dire with (at the time of writing) only 60 confirmed cases, all with the possible exception of one of which has been connected to overseas travel. Coronaviruses aren’t new at all; in fact roughly 20% of all common colds come from a coronavirus. It isn’t new that the original virus host was an animal, possibly an ant-eater like animal called pangolins or perhaps bats. It also isn’t new that a New York Times article last week discussed the need to stop wildlife trafficking to prevent future outbreaks.

What is new is that China has stated it will immediately ban the trade and consumption of wild animals. This is an enormous step from both an epidemiological and conservation perspective, though it remains to be seen how strictly Chinese officials will pursue illegal traffickers. While this is certainly a victory, there is still a bigger challenge: Social media and the increasing trend of owning wild animals as exotic pets.

Since the SARS outbreak in 2003, social media use has grown tremendously. A survey conducted in 2015 estimated 67% of U.S. adults used at least one social media website, compared to only 7% in 2005. The expansion and widespread use of social media has caused conservation efforts of these exotic animals to suffer.

Do a quick Google search for “marmosets for sale” and you will quickly find links to purchase these tiny primates (though the legitimacy of the websites is not determined). Hundreds of thousands of pygmy marmosets are sold each year due to social media trends glorifying exotic pets.

Social media profiles displaying videos and photos of Americans and Chinese individuals with these monkeys boosted sales in Peru. What isn’t shown on social media is how these pint-sized primates can turn aggressive at puberty, and can often harbor diseases, according to National Geographic.

Research suggests illegal trade of otters on social media in countries like Thailand is growing. In just 14 months, 160 sales posts for newborn and juvenile otters were recorded. There are countless videos of individuals with pet otters, tigers on leashes or in expensive cars, and bears playing the piano. These videos often have millions of views, which can lead to a decreased sense of danger around wild animals.

The sale of adorable otters might not sound like an impending cataclysm, but consider the 40,000 primates, 4 million birds, 350 million tropical fish, and 640,000 reptiles that are traded and sold alive each year. Not only can imported animals ravage a local ecosystem, but they also carry potential risks to human health. The red-eared slider turtle infestation of New York City is the perfect example.

Red-eared sliders are the most commonly traded and sold turtle. Coming from along the Mississippi River, these turtles are highly adaptable to new environments and are currently pushing out native New York turtles. The International Union for Conservation of Nature frequently lists these seemingly benign slowpokes in the top 100 of the world’s most invasive species.

While turtles may be an enticing pet choice for parents due to their low maintenance, they still require large, expensive tanks and water filter systems. New pet owners are often shocked to learn their new friend can live up to 50 years and carries the salmonella bacteria. As a result, these turtles are illegally dumped somewhere in city parks. Salmonella can be deadly in children and roaming turtles in city parks are a great way for children to get infected and cause a local outbreak.

Both SARS and MERS (other outbreaks caused by a coronavirus) were zoonotic in nature, as is the new COVID-19. SARS is believed to have come from bats, while MERS spread from camels to humans. The lesser talked about monkeypox outbreak was also caused by the transport of animals from Ghana to Midwestern states.

Advocating against exotic pet ownership is critical to not only human health, but to the health and welfare of the animals that co-inhabit our planet. Supporting animal rights groups and not sharing or liking videos with wild animals as pets are great individual actions. Additionally, we need better education about the requirements and responsibilities of pet ownership. We can help protect native ecosystems while limiting potential health hazards to city inhabitants, both human and fauna.

Volpe has a Master’s degree in neuroscience and is the host of the science-comedy podcast, “Just Na Science.”