Project Overview 

The project strengthened capacities to assess, manage, and communicate zoonotic disease risks associated with illegal wildlife trade. Using a One Health approach, participants analysed wildlife trade supply chains, identified disease transmission pathways, developed risk management plans, and designed communication strategies to reduce risks for wildlife professionals, communities, and public health systems. 

Results & Outcomes 

Disease Risk Assessment 

• Developed and tested qualitative risk assessment methodologies for key wildlife trade scenarios. 
• Analysed zoonotic transmission pathways involving: 
• Tuberculosis in long-tailed macaques, 
• SARS-CoV-2 in illegally traded pangolins, 
• H5N1 avian influenza in wild birds. 
• Identified critical human–animal contact points along capture, transport, rescue, rehabilitation, and release stages. 

Outcome: 
Improved understanding of zoonotic disease risks associated with illegal wildlife trade and strengthened evidence-based risk assessment capacities. 

Risk Management 

• Developed risk management plans for priority disease threats in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation systems. 
• Identified critical control points where interventions are most effective. 
• Recommended practical measures including quarantine systems, disease surveillance, biosafety protocols, staff health screening, and enhanced use of personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Applied structured decision-making approaches balancing public health, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic considerations. 

Outcome: 
Established practical frameworks to reduce zoonotic disease transmission risks at wildlife trade and rescue interfaces. 

Risk Communication and One Health Coordination 

• Developed stakeholder-specific risk communication strategies at national, provincial, and local levels. 
• Mapped communication networks linking government agencies, international organisations, wildlife rescue centres, NGOs, and local communities. 
• Promoted awareness campaigns, training programmes, and community engagement on zoonotic disease prevention and biosafety. 

Outcome: 
Strengthened cross-sector collaboration and improved preparedness for responding to wildlife-related disease risks. 

Cross-Cutting Results 

• Increased technical capacity in zoonotic disease risk assessment, management, and communication. 
• Strengthened collaboration between wildlife, veterinary, public health, and environmental authorities. 
• Identified priority interventions to improve disease surveillance and biosafety in wildlife rescue centres and wildlife trade hotspots. 
• Generated practical tools and methodologies that can be replicated across countries and wildlife trade contexts. 

Project Overview 

The project aimed to strengthen Liberia’s capacity to develop, implement, and evaluate wildlife disease surveillance systems while promoting cross-sectoral One Health collaboration. Through training, pilot surveillance activities, and stakeholder engagement, the project supported national efforts to detect and respond to wildlife-related health risks and zoonotic diseases. 

Results & Outcomes 

Capacity Building and Training 

• Conducted a national wildlife disease surveillance workshop with 31 participants from government, academia, NGOs, and international organisations. 
• Strengthened technical knowledge on wildlife disease surveillance, surveillance design, sampling methods, and One Health coordination. 
• Facilitated collaboration among wildlife, animal health, public health, laboratory, conservation, policy, and community engagement experts. 

Outcome: 
Improved national capacity to design and implement wildlife disease surveillance programmes and strengthened interagency cooperation. 

Wildlife Disease Surveillance 

• Developed surveillance protocols for priority health risks, including: 
• Avian influenza surveillance in wild birds 
• Tsetse fly surveillance 
• Pathogen surveillance at wildlife trade checkpoints 
• Implemented Liberia’s first-ever surveillance study for avian influenza in wild birds. 
• Analysed 202 wild bird samples from key wetland sites. 
• Detected avian influenza virus RNA in samples collected from the Mesurado wetlands, demonstrating the value of ongoing surveillance. 

Outcome: 
Established practical wildlife disease surveillance systems and generated the first national baseline data on avian influenza in wild birds. 

One Health and Institutional Collaboration 

• Strengthened collaboration between the Forestry Development Authority, Central Veterinary Laboratory, SCNL, and other national stakeholders. 
• Promoted integration of wildlife health surveillance into broader One Health systems. 
• Fostered regional exchange through collaboration with wildlife health experts from Ghana and international partners. 

Outcome: 
Improved coordination between wildlife, animal health, and public health sectors and created a foundation for long-term surveillance programmes. 

Cross-Cutting Results 

• Adapted international wildlife disease surveillance guidelines to the Liberian context. 
• Produced practical surveillance protocols and pilot-testing methodologies that can be replicated nationally and regionally. 
• Enhanced awareness of wildlife health risks among national institutions and decision-makers. 
• Disseminated lessons learned through regional communications, case studies, news articles, and planned Alliance webinars. 
• Promoted biodiversity conservation, participatory surveillance, and inclusive One Health approaches. 

Overall Impact 

The project established the foundations for a national wildlife disease surveillance system in Liberia and demonstrated how One Health collaboration can strengthen early detection and prevention of zoonotic disease risks. By combining capacity building, pilot surveillance, and institutional cooperation, the project created a scalable model for wildlife health monitoring and pandemic prevention in West Africa. 

Find more info here:

Advancing National Wildlife Disease Surveillance Planning in Liberia | PANORAMA

Training Workshop on Wildlife Disease Surveillance held in Liberia – WOAH – World Organisation for Animal Health

The BeninBushmeat – Novel Pathogens at Wildlife Markets in Benin project combined virological surveillance, social science research, capacity development, and policy dialogue within a One Health framework to better understand and address zoonotic risks linked to bushmeat trade in Benin. Implemented through collaboration between Charité Berlin, the Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), Freie Universität Berlin, and Universität Bayreuth, the project aimed to strengthen local surveillance capacities while generating evidence for culturally sensitive and biodiversity-conscious risk reduction strategies. 

Key achievements include: 

• Collection of 717 wildlife specimens across 11 species from multiple regions in Benin, significantly exceeding the original project target.  

• Detection of zoonotic viruses of public health relevance, including henipaviruses and rubulaviruses in straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum), highlighting potential spillover risks at the human–wildlife interface.  

• Implementation and transfer of multipathogen molecular diagnostic workflows as well as laboratory training for local personnel at CREC, contributing to sustainable local surveillance and early warning capacities.  

• Integration of comprehensive social science research examining hunting practices, bushmeat trade networks, governance structures, cultural perceptions of disease, and the socioeconomic drivers behind wildlife trade and consumption.  

• Findings showed that bushmeat trade in Benin is deeply embedded in livelihood systems, cultural practices, and informal trade networks, requiring context-specific and participatory approaches rather than purely restrictive interventions.  

• The research also highlighted the erosion of traditional wildlife protection mechanisms and increasing urban demand for bushmeat, contributing to biodiversity loss and challenges for regulation and traceability.  

• Local understandings of disease risks linked to wildlife were identified as important entry points for culturally sensitive health communication and prevention measures.  

• A multi-stakeholder workshop held in Cotonou in March 2025 brought together representatives from government ministries, forestry authorities, researchers, hunters’ associations, and community actors to discuss findings and jointly formulate recommendations for future action.  

Main outcome: 

The project generated the first integrated One Health evidence base on zoonotic risks associated with bushmeat markets in Benin by combining large-scale wildlife pathogen surveillance, social science analysis, and capacity strengthening. It identified the presence of zoonotic viruses of public health relevance in wildlife (including henipaviruses and rubulaviruses in fruit bats), while simultaneously documenting the socioeconomic, cultural, and governance drivers sustaining the bushmeat trade. 

Beyond scientific findings, the project significantly strengthened local laboratory and surveillance capacities at Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou (CREC), and translated results into policy-relevant insights through stakeholder engagement, including a multi-sector workshop in Cotonou. 

Overall, the main outcome is a strengthened evidence base and local capacity for early detection and risk-informed management of zoonotic spillover risks at the human–wildlife interface, alongside concrete recommendations for more culturally sensitive, participatory, and biodiversity-conscious risk reduction strategies.

The Alliance held a joint webinar, presenting the project. Find the event report and recording of the event here: Event Report: Expert Talk Preventing pandemic risks in Benin: Cooperation with religious actors for health – International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade

Project Overview 

The project aimed to reduce the risk of pandemic emergence from wildlife trade by strengthening policy frameworks, improving cross-sector coordination, and promoting a One Health approach. Through consultations, research, and expert support, it identified legal and institutional gaps and developed targeted recommendations and tools for governments. 

Results & Outcomes by Country 

Bolivia 

• Conducted national assessments identifying significant policy and biosecurity gaps in wildlife trade. 

• Developed a toolkit for pandemic prevention at wildlife trade interfaces. 

• Produced a regulatory framework for zoonotic risk prevention. 

• Strengthened collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health sectors. 

Outcome: 
Improved legal and institutional basis for managing zoonotic risks and strengthened intersectoral coordination for health security. 

Guatemala 

• Identified legislative and coordination gaps in wildlife trade and zoonotic risk management. 

• Developed a biosecurity and wildlife management training programme. 

• Supported the creation of a Multisectoral One Health Technical Commission. 

• Initiated a sub-commission on wildlife trafficking and zoonoses. 

• Produced the country’s first zoonotic disease risk map. 

Outcome: 
Institutionalised One Health coordination mechanisms and strengthened national capacity for zoonotic risk assessment and prevention. 

Peru 

• Conducted risk analyses of diseases in wildlife trade chains (e.g. wild meat systems). 

• Systematised data on wildlife disease diagnostics and surveillance systems. 

• Facilitated multi-stakeholder consultations and workshops with strong government engagement. 

• Strengthened interinstitutional collaboration and data-sharing mechanisms. 

Outcome: 
Enhanced evidence base for policymaking, improved coordination, and elevated wildlife trade as a public health priority. 

Cross-Cutting Results (All Countries) 

• Identified major legislative and policy gaps in wildlife trade and zoonotic risk management. 

• Engaged 70+ key stakeholders and 250+ participants through consultations and workshops. 

• Strengthened multisectoral coordination across health, environment, and agriculture sectors. 

• Produced policy recommendations, technical reports, and training tools. 

• Raised awareness of pandemic risks linked to wildlife trade and promoted behavioural and policy change. 

Overall Impact 

The project laid the foundation for primary pandemic prevention by translating scientific evidence into policy recommendations and practical tools. It strengthened governance frameworks, fostered cross-sector collaboration, and supported countries in integrating One Health principles into legislation and decision-making processes, contributing to long-term global health security.

The Alliance held a joint webinar presenting the project. Find the event report and the recording of the event here: Event Report: Strengthening Policy and Technical Frameworks for Primary Pandemic Prevention at Wildlife Trade Interfaces in Latin America (CONTACT Phase | ) – International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade

Project Overview 

The project strengthens sustainable wildlife and natural resource governance through the Legal Hub, an online platform providing access to statutory and customary laws, legal analyses, and diagnostics. It supports multi-stakeholder legal reform, promotes a One Health approach, and improves understanding of wildlife-related risks, including zoonotic diseases. 

Results & Outcomes by Country 

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 

• Developed the first national wildlife policy framework, addressing major legislative gaps. 

• Established a multi-stakeholder governance structure (taskforce and steering committee). 

• Produced a sectoral legal diagnostic report to guide policy decisions. 

• Drafted a Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) guide integrating wildlife, livestock, and public health systems. 

• Increased awareness of zoonotic risks in wild meat value chains and promoted safer practices. 

Outcome: 
Strengthened policy foundations for wildlife governance, improved cross-sector collaboration, and advanced One Health integration in national legislation. 

Cameroon 

• Supported alignment of national policies with the COMIFAC Convergence Plan. 

• Organized a regional workshop (86 participants) to share legal reforms and promote harmonisation. 

• Enhanced regional cooperation and knowledge exchange among Central African countries. 

• Promoted the Legal Hub as a tool for comparative legal analysis and reform processes. 

Outcome: 
Improved regional policy coordination, increased uptake of Legal Hub tools, and strengthened frameworks for harmonised wildlife legislation. 

Namibia 

• Completed and validated a comprehensive legal analysis of wildlife management sectors. 

• Identified key legal gaps, including wild meat traceability and regulatory fragmentation. 

• Facilitated multi-sector dialogue between environment, agriculture, and health ministries. 

• Contributed directly to the revision of the national Wildlife Bill. 

• Positioned Namibia as a regional model for community-based conservation in the KAZA region. 

Outcome: 
Enhanced legal coherence, strengthened inter-ministerial collaboration, and supported evidence-based law reform aligned with One Health principles. 

Cross-Cutting Results (All Countries) 

• Improved access to legal information through the Legal Hub platform. 

• Strengthened capacity of stakeholders (governments, civil society, communities). 

• Enabled participatory, evidence-based legal reforms. 

• Increased awareness of wildlife-related health risks and sustainable practices. 

• Promoted integration of customary law and indigenous rights into formal governance systems. 

Overall Impact 

The project demonstrates that combining legal analysis, stakeholder engagement, and digital tools can catalyse national and regional legal reforms, improve wildlife governance, and reduce health risks linked to wildlife use. The Legal Hub serves as a scalable model for integrated, multi-sectoral policy development under the One Health approach. 

The Alliance held a joint webinar, presenting the project. Find the event report and recording of the webinar here: Event Report: Sustainable Wildlife Governance in Namibia, Cameroon, and DRC – SWM Programme and International Alliance Collaboration – International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade