Wildlife trafficking and corruption at the maritime port: a global health threat

Abstract

The insatiable demand of bushmeat for human consumption and traditional Chinese medicine for therapeutic use has led to an increase in wildlife trafficking across the world. Wildlife trafficking — which involves illegal trading, smuggling, poaching, and capturing of endangered species of animals including the products (skin and organ) derived from them, is one of the most lucrative illegal businesses across the world with cost estimates that ranges from US$10 billion to US$20 billion per annum [1]. Illegal trading of wildlife creates an opportunity for infectious diseases outbreaks, including zoonoses (diseases transmitted between humans and animals) that account for an estimated 60% of emerging diseases circulating between the human and the animal population, to occur, and thus, a global health threat [2]. The maritime seaport plays an essential role in wildlife trafficking through its ease on the transportation of wild animals and their products between countries which is mostly associated with corruption at the port, and in part, with the decrease in the rate of arrest and prosecution traffickers. However, despite the effort of anti-corruption compliance initiatives like Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, corruption persists.