WILD LIFE TRADE

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Coronavirus: Putting the spotlight on the global wildlife trade


Conservation experts say the coronavirus pandemic, which likely originated at a market selling wild animals in China, is a watershed moment for curbing the global wildlife trade, which can drive extinction and spread disease.

Wet markets


Wet markets have become a familiar sight in many countries in Southeast Asia, particularly mainland China. Selling live fish, chickens and wildlife, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, they get their name from the melting ice used to preserve goods, as well as to wash the floors clean of blood from butchered animals.


Conservation (1) ___________________ that the trade in wildlife could be greatly cut after the coronavirus pandemic has finished. They say that the virus probably started at a (2) ___________________ animals in China. The virus came from either a bat or an animal called a pangolin. It then crossed over (3) ___________________. The conservation group Humane Society International said: "The consumption of wild animals which can carry diseases that can cross the (4) ___________________ a real threat to human health." The Wildlife Conservation Society called for a ban of animal markets that (5) ___________________. It said: "Not only will this help to prevent the spread of disease, it will address one of the (6) ___________________ species extinction."
A spokesman from the Zoological Society of London said animal markets could be "time bombs". He said the markets (7) ___________________ conditions for new viruses to start and grow. He added that if we treated animals like (8) ___________________ and sell, we would be in trouble again in the future. Scientists say many new (9) ___________________ start in animals. About 75 per cent of new infectious diseases come from animals. (10) ___________________ SARS, MERS and Ebola. Infections from animals cause millions of illnesses and deaths worldwide every year. An expert said the world (11) ___________________, because, "realistically, it's just a matter of time before the next zoonotic (12) ___________________".

Conservation expertsare saying that the trade in wildlife could be greatly cut after the coronavirus pandemic has finished. They say that the virus probably started at a 2market selling wild animals in China. The virus came from either a bat or an animal called a pangolin. It then crossed over 3to infect humans. The conservation group Humane Society International said: "The consumption of wild animals which can carry diseases that can cross the 4species barrier poses a real threat to human 5health." The Wildlife Conservation Society called for a ban of animal markets that trade in wildlife. It said: "Not only will this help to prevent the spread of disease, it will address one of 6the major drivers of species extinction."
A spokesman from the Zoological Society of London said animal markets could be "time bombs". He said the markets 7can provide perfect conditions for new viruses to start and grow. He added that if we treated animals8 like goods to buy and sell, we would be in trouble again in the future. Scientists say many new 9outbreaks of viruses start in animals. About 75 per cent of new infectious diseases come from animals. 10Recent examples include SARS, MERS and Ebola. Infections from animals cause millions of illnesses and deaths worldwide every year. An expert said the world11 must act soon, because, "realistically, it's just a matter of time before the next zoonotic 12 disease risk emerges".





Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Conservation experts are saying that the trade in wildlife could ______
     a.  be greatly cut
     b.  be greatly cuts
     c.  be greatly cutting
     d.  be greatly cutter
2)  They say that the virus probably started at a market ______
     a.  selling wild animals
     b.  selling wild animal
     c.  selling wildly animals
     d.  selling wildly animal
3)  It then crossed over ______
     a.  to inject humans
     b.  to infer humans
     c.  to interject humans
     d.  to infect humans
4)  animals which can carry diseases that can cross the species barrier ______ threat
     a.  posses a real
     b.  posies a real
     c.  poses a real
     d.  pose is a real
5)  it will address one of the major drivers of ______
     a.  species eggs tincture
     b.  species extinct
     c.  species extraction
     d.  species extinction
6)  A spokesman from the Zoological Society of London said animal markets could ______
 a.  been timed bombs
b.  being timed bombs
 c.  be time bombs
  d.  be timer bombs

SPEAKING
4. ANIMALS: Are these things OK? Why? Why not? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

OK
Not OK?
Pet shops


Fur coats


Zoos


Eating meat


Police dogs


Animal markets
More reading: Link nytimes





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