A LIVE Ocean Geographic webinar on "Wildlife and Wet Markets", an important forum in this time of a global pandemic was held on 20 June.

COVID-19 outbreak is linked to the wildlife trade from the wet markets in China. However, we need to hear the truth and the misconception from an expert panel on this Ocean Geographic LIVE forum on the contentious issue. Without doubt, habitat lost and our disconnection with nature is the principal cause; How can we work, both individually and collectively, to decrease habitat loss and reduce the odds of future pandemics? Opening address by Dr Sylvia Earle, Founder of Mission Blue, NatGeo Explorer in Residence Time’s first Hero for the Planet, and Dr Zhou Jinfeng, the Secretary-General of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF).

This expert panel comprised of conservationists, ecologist, educators, scientists of diverse demographic, culture and gender.

During Dr. Zhou Jinfeng’s keynote speech on the positive and effective measures taken by China in response to COVID-19 and efforts by China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) to save and protect wildlife, he was highly appreciated and affirmed by the panelists. The experts expressed their wish for China could lead the world in propelling wildlife conservation.

(Photo credit: Ocean Geographic)

By / Maggie, Lei