Thread by @MayWongCNA

#Freeland org urges #asian governments to shut all #wildlife markets immediately especially to prevent additional outbreaks of diseases like #coronavirus #COVIDー19. Launching report on #SoutheastAsia #illegal wildlife trade, group says trade valued at US$20 billion/annually

#Freeland organization #INGO says "world is waking up to dangers of #wildlife #trafficking" due to #coronavirus #COVID19". But points out it's a problem beyond #China & this disease. Adds China wildlife breeding business is valued approximately at US$7 billion annually

#Freeland says #wildlife #crime has become 1 of largest #international #organizedcrime as it was previously "ignored or downplayed". Its founder Steve Galster says world seeing "fastest rate of species loss" & #illegal #wildlife trade is "sleeping timebombs in #SoutheastAsia"

#Freeland founder says #illegal #wildlife trade "out of control" & reveals 50% of pangolins are transited in #Thailand. Reports have alleged that #pangolins may harbour #coronavirus #COVID19 & may be spreading disease

Earlier this week, #China says it plans to introduce a total ban on trade & consumption of #wild animals which #Freeland welcomes & says "changes everything". But question remains on enforcement & #Rhino horns for example being falsely touted as panacea for #coronavirus #COVID19

#Freeland at #Bangkok #Thailand presser says #wildlife #traffickers winning the trade because the 1) money is good 2) law enforcement is weak 3) law enforcement not well resourced, 4) courts not treating this issue seriously & 5) corruption