Kuala Lumpur ¨C Social distancing may save human lives, but it¡¯s wreaking havoc on some of the world¡¯s most threatened species.
In Botswana, which depends heavily on tourism, poachers have taken advantage of suddenly empty wildlife reserves to kill at least six endangered rhinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. In South Africa¡¯s North West province, at least nine more were killed as sightseers stayed home. Fears are rising that tigers, elephants and countless lesser-known species might soon face similar threats.
For decades, there¡¯s been a broad consensus among governments, conservationists and industry that well-managed tourism gives local communities an economic stake in preserving wildlife. It¡¯s a good idea that has supported the conservation of threatened habitats around the world. But the cruel lesson of the coronavirus is that this model isn¡¯t sustainable in a steep economic downturn. If conservationists want to preserve species and habitats for the long term, they¡¯ll need to rethink some long-held assumptions.
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