
‘This is among the most important decisions… to prevent another pathogen from jumping from animals to humans and spreading around the world.’
Leonardo DiCaprio has called for a global ban on illegal wildlife trade and consumption in order to prevent future pandemics similar to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The actor turned environmentalist took to Instagram to urge followers to speak up against the exploitation of wild terrestrial animals for food
“Please join me today in supporting the Declaration to End the Trade, a global call from Global Wildlife Conservation, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and WildAid to put an end to all commercial collection and sale in markets of wild terrestrial animals (particularly of birds and mammals) for consumption,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Your voice matters and together we can show governments that public opinion around this issue is strong. This is among the most important decisions that the world community can make today to prevent another pathogen from jumping from animals to humans and spreading around the world.”
Celebrity activism
DiCaprio joins several other celebrities who have called on the government to ban illegal wildlife trade.
In a recent interview, Comedian and animal lover Ricky Gervais said that wildlife trade and consumption had to stop in order to protect humans and animals.
“We can’t carry on exploiting animals, eating wildlife and trashing the planet. The wildlife trade and markets have to close, otherwise, it will be a case of when, and not if, we have another global pandemic,” he told the Mirror.
Gervais’ views were echoed by Sir Paul McCartney, who slammed the Chinese government for its reluctance to shut down wet markets.
On a call with US radio host Howard Stern on Sirius XM, McCartney said: “It wouldn’t be so bad if this is the only thing it seems like you can blame on those wet markets.
“It seems like Sars, avian flu, all sorts of other stuff that has afflicted us … and what’s it for? For these quite medieval practices. They need to clean up their act. This may lead to [change]. If this doesn’t, I don’t know what will.”
Even legendary musician Brian May urged people to evaluate their relationship with animals amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“If you want to get deep into it, I think we should be looking again at whether we should be eating animals,” May told NME.
“That’s a central issue here, this pandemic seemed to come from people eating animals and it’s becoming more well known that eating animals is not the greatest thing for our health.”
“I think we should be looking again at whether we should be eating animals.”
Coronavirus
According to scientists, COVID-19 most likely originated from wildlife and spread to humans through consumption of infected animals.
The virus has since spread globally infecting nearly 2,736,145 people and killing over 191,421.
Share this story to reveal the truth of illegal wildlife trade and consumption.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Vegan Nottingham student creates budget-friendly oat milk machine to reduce carbon footprint and combat rising prices
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 30th May 2023
The invention is sustainable and cost-effective. A vegan undergraduate studying product design at Nottingham Trent University has developed a container that can help people create their own oat milk at home for just 20 pence per litre. “Oatilicious,” provides significant cost savings compared to store-bought oat milk for up to £2.20 per carton. The innovative …
Bear Grylls ’embarrassed’ by past vegan diet promotes meat, blood, and bone marrow for better health
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 15th May 2023
“I’ve tried to listen to my body more, tried to listen to nature, and I don’t miss vegetables at all. I don’t go near them, and I’ve never felt stronger, my skin’s never been better, and my gut’s never been better.” Adventurer and TV presenter Bear Grylls has become a die-hard carnivore fan after admitting …
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …