This was the message sent by primatologist Jane Goodall in mid-March, a few days before her 86th birthday. Goodall has decided to follow medical advice and remain in isolation at his home in the UK, after all events on his North American tour have been canceled. In her message, the charismatic conservationist shows all her support for people affected by COVID-19, as well as those who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis unleashed. Goodall has recognized social isolation measures as a key tool, not only to protect ourselves, but all of our fellow citizens.
In defense of wildlife
This pandemic has resumed discussions about the danger of hunting and trafficking with wild animals, recalled the primatologist, who has emphasized how the new coronavirus has crossed the barrier between species, as other viruses such as SARS or the HIV. In another message published a few days before, Goodall expressed the relationship between the mistreatment of wildlife and the crisis unleashed: “ I hope and pray that the nightmare suffered by wild animals that are captured and kept in terrible conditions to serve as food ends. , or because some people think that their organs have healing power or they are going to give them strength and virility ”, said the primatologist. “Because animals, bats, pangolins, monkeys, rhinos, etc., all have feelings like us, they also feel pain, fear, loneliness or despair. We are destroying the places where animals live around the planet to get materials to build our houses and our cities, and to make our lives more comfortable. And as a result, we have triggered a climate crisis, many species of animals and plants are in danger of extinction , and our relationship with wild animals that are sold in markets or used for entertainment has unleashed the misery and terror of new viruses. They are viruses that exist in animals without harming them, but that mutate in other ways to infect us with new diseases such as Ebola, SARS, MERS and, now, the coronavirus ”.
Goodall has welcomed the Chinese government’s strict ban on the exploitation and sale of wild animals for consumption throughout China, and hopes that these measures will serve as an example to other countries and be applied in other cases such as rhino horn trafficking. or elephant ivory.
Jane Goodall has ended up sending a message of hope, recalling the behavior and stories of solidarity, of people who are caring for the sick, donating masks or bringing food to those who cannot leave their homes. “ Let’s use the gift of our lives to make this world a better place, especially right now. Together we will succeed in this difficult time, and hopefully we have learned what really matters in life: family, friendship, love and above all, our health . “
On her birthday, April 3, the conservationist published another message of gratitude for the congratulations received in “this surreal moment in which we are all locked at home.”
