Project Categories: Alliance funded project

Zoonosis Risk along the Bushmeat Value-Chains. The Case of Salonga National Park and Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

The link between wildlife trade, consumption and zoonotic disease outbreaks with pandemic potential has been documented by a growing body of evidence worldwide. Wildlife trade and emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) of zoonotic origin are of particular concern in the Tropics, and particularly in Central Africa. In this region bushmeat is an essential part of the diet of millions of people, contributing 20–70% of all protein intake, with the trade of bushmeat estimated to reach USD 1–3 billion. A demand that is expected to grow with the increase of the human population in the region. Kinshasa for instance, capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with an estimated population of 13 million inhabitants in 2018, is predicted to become the largest city in Africa and the fourth largest in the world by 2050, with 35 million inhabitants. 

The role of unsustainable and illegal bushmeat hunting and consumption in species extinction is well known, as well as their cascading effects on ecosystem services and local food security. However, less is known about their contribution to the risk of zoonotic disease spread. And this, despite the fact that Central Africa has already experienced tragic examples of pathogen spillover most likely linked to wildlife consumption and trade, e.g. those causing acute outbreaks (Ebola) or with pandemic potential (SIV/HIV, other Retroviruses). It is therefore key to assess wildlife trade situations for risks of potentially serious zoonoses to inform policies to tightly monitor, regulate and control the consumption and trade. 

The overall objective of this project was to identify and map the risks of zoonotic disease transmission in bushmeat trade along value-chains from a source to the end markets, i.e. from a National Park to large and dense urban areas. In particular, the projects aim was 

  • to characterise and assess the scale of the bushmeat trade between a National Park and urban centres, the species consumed and traded, the modes and drivers behind the consumption and trade along the value-chains 
  • to detect and measure the presence of pathogens in bushmeat samples at various nodes of the value-chains 
  • to quantify the risks triggering pathogen presence and loads, transmission to humans, and spread of infections to human populations along the value-chains. 

Main Results: 

  • Identification of several pathogens (i.e. Primate T-Lymphotropic Virus (PTLV), the Taterapox virus, an Orthopoxvirus, the bacterium Bacillus Cereus Biovar. Anthracis (BCBVA)), present in collected samples of bushmeat from the region 
  • About 800 samples were collected showing that mostly high-risk taxa are being sold on markets. 
  • Hunting is mostly done for financial reasons and wild meat is mostly consumed due to  lack of alternatives. 
  • Handling meat was mostly done under unhygienic circumstances (with bear hands and direct contact to blood)   

Recommendations: 

  • The introduction of monitoring with more in-depth and regular sampling, particularly at outlets where taxonomic groups known to be transporters of zoonotic pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential are sold (e.g. Primates and Rodents, but also Artiodactyls as highlighted in our study) 
  • Developing awareness campaigns on the risks of zoonoses and the behaviours to adopt to reduce these risks 
  • The development of a participatory early warning system for zoonotic diseases 
  • The development of policies and practices to strictly regulate and control the bushmeat trade  

Products:  


WWF-Report-Salonga-Bushmeat-and-ZoonosesDownload

Alliance Event Report

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects” 

Spillover Prevention in Indonesia with Outreach to the Southeast Asia Region

As a biodiversity hotspot, Indonesia hosts a high density of wild animals. However, human activities are bringing wild animals and humans into increasingly close proximity. Ecosystem degradation, caused by land-use change and overexploitation, and hunting and wildlife trade, common sources of income for local communities, increase human-wildlife interactions and create risks for human health and the environment. A major risk to human health is zoonotic spillover, the process by which pathogens in animals jump into people, which can then cause human disease. However, cost-effective interventions can greatly reduce the risk of spillover and must be implemented rapidly in zoonotic spillover hotspots.

This project aimed to catalyse action among Indonesian policymakers to implement spillover prevention policies. We strengthened their understanding of effective policy reform and action and fostereddialogue between relevantnational agencies. At the same time, we raised awareness and support for spillover prevention policy reform and action among G20 leaders through Indonesia’s G20 post-Presidency, as well as with the general public in the ASEAN region and East Asia. The project was co-led by Preventing Pandemics at the Source (PPATS) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Indonesia, in partnership with the Indonesian NGO Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI). 

Main Outcomes: 

  • The project increased support and capacity for spillover prevention policy reform by strengthening policymaker engagement, enhancing inter-ministerial coordination, consulting key stakeholders, and producing targeted policy briefs and white papers.
  • The team strengthened local biosecurity measures by establishing a meat transportation checkpoint in high-traffic areas and collaborating with local agriculture and animal health authorities.
  • The project raised public awareness of spillover prevention across Southeast and East Asia by engaging with media outlets, training young journalists, producing social media content, and publishing 24 articles on zoonotic diseases and One Health.

Mobilising IUCN Knowledge to Support the Development or Updating of WOAH Standards and Guidelines on Wildlife Disease Surveillance, Risk Assessment and Risk Management

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE) recently published its Wildlife Health Framework ‘Protecting Wildlife Health to Achieve One Health’. It recognizes that animal (both wild and domestic) health, balanced ecosystems, and biodiversity contribute to achieving One Health. It also stresses that in response to global trends in disease emergence and biodiversity loss there is an urgent need to strengthen the wildlife component of One Health. The framework sets out concrete actions to manage the risk of disease emergence at the human-animal-ecosystem interface and to protect wildlife health, and stresses that the goals cannot be achieved by WOAH alone. It therefore identifies IUCN as one the key collaborators (alongside Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)) that need to work with WOAH in order to implement the actions and achieve its goals. Through this project IUCN coordinated input to WOAH processes for developing or updating their Standards and guidelines on wildlife disease surveillance, risk assessment and risk management.  Based on the mandates provided to IUCN through its Program, and the WOAH Wildlife Health Framework, IUCN worked with EcoHealth Alliance, an IUCN (NGO) Member, which is a global environmental health non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting wildlife and public health from the emergence of disease. 

To do this Experts from IUCN, EcoHealth Alliance and, SSC Wildlife Health Specialist Group, EcoHealth Alliance, and WOAH met regularly to disseminate guidelines on wildlife disease, promote synergies and maintain progress in the project activities.  

Main Outcomes and Products:

  • A web-based feedback form was developed to solicit feedback on the strengths, weaknesses and gaps of the existing guidance and shared with invited peer reviewers representing various wildlife-related sectors, and all Members of the Alliance.  
  • Updated guidelines were produced under the project, titled “General Guidelines for Disease, Pathogen, and Toxin Surveillance in Free-Ranging Wildlife: An overview for wildlife authorities and others working with wildlife”. 2024-final-guidelines-disease-pathogen-toxin-surv-wildlife-v27.06.pdf The document covers a much wider and forward-thinking scope of wildlife health and disease surveillance and more specific advice and tools for operational and financial considerations. Based on feedback from reviewers, aspects including stakeholder roles and responsibilities, biosafety, community-based participation, laws and ethics, and resource mobilization are now emphasised. 

Implementation of the Guidelines: Training Workshop on Wildlife Disease Surveillance held in Liberia 

Using the WOAH/IUCN surveillance guidelines as the basis, works with the Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL, an IUCN member organisation) and experts from the IUCN SSC Wildlife Health Specialist Group (WHSG) collaborated with relevant national authority experts in Liberia to strengthen capacity to develop, implement, and evaluate elements of a wildlife disease surveillance program in line with the national context. The workshop took place March 8-10, 2025 and drew over 30 participants including national vet services, conservation groups and the Africa One Health University Network. Attendees explored the new “Guidelines for the Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens, and Toxic Agents in FreeRanging Wildlife” (published September 2024), though various activities. A similar approach is foreseen in Vietnam, supporting the Nature4Health (N4H) initiative. 

Lessons Learned: 

Striving for consistency in concepts is important across knowledge and guidance products to promote a common understanding and enable effective collaboration among sectors.   

There is a need for targeted information that is fit for the roles, responsibilities and resources of specific disciplines, such as those working in protected and conserved areas (e.g., rangers) and other wildlife-related sectors.  

There are practical gaps in existing knowledge products related to wildlife disease, pathogen, and toxin surveillance. As a result, intensive outreach on project outputs is required; and further needs for practical tools for surveillance planning, implementation, and use of findings are likely to be identified as this awareness and knowledge grows in the wildlife sector.  

Links:

General Webpage: IUCN-WOAH Guidelines in English, Spanish and French Wildlife Health – WOAH – World Organisation for Animal Health
 
Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects”

A Transnational African Zoonosis Education campaign: Raising awareness for wildlife trade-linked health risks

Awareness campaigns aiming to reduce demand for wildlife and bushmeat are typically limited to conservation and legal aspects, while the dangers of zoonotic diseases are neglected.  

This broad-based campaign aimed to change behaviour towards wildlife with a new approach. The goal was to reduce the risks of zoonotic spill overs in four relevant African countries being Cameroon, Liberia, Nigeria and Zambia, by creating public awareness on the ground for human health risks, linked to wildlife trade, and promoting the One-Health approach. We used and expanded the existing experience and structures of education programs at five rescue centres, under different conditions (such as consumed species range, rural vs. urban target consumer groups, and responsible government agencies). By using a wide range of communication tools, the project aimed to increase awareness about potential health risks from contact with wildlife, to discourage hunting, trade and wildlife consumption, to suggest alternatives, and motivate responsible government agencies to initiate necessary actions. Creating a consortium of rescue centres and learning from each other facilitated the exchange of knowledge, resulting in timely adjustments of education tools, and the development of new strategies, including activating influential stakeholders as multiplicators.   

As a result, we developed optimised campaign tools in a modular system that can be used individually or as a package also in other countries and regions. 

Main Outcomes: 

  • Scientific knowledge was translated into messages for daily life on the ground: individual communication strategies were developed and adapted to the national and local needs, targeting different age and population groups to achieve a wide reach of key messages.   
  • More than 19,000 people were educated during guided tours in the rescue centres. Workshops for authorities and communities were organised. 
  • Around 5,400 children were reached through school visits. After the events, a strong increase in awareness of zoonoses and their importance for the participants was observed.  
  • With a football tournament, plays and dance groups, people of different ages and personal backgrounds were engaged. The educational components were integrated into these leisure activities and traditional leaders, and other multipliers were involved.  
  • Radio broadcasts and jingles were released in popular radio programs in Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia and reached an estimated 7 million people. In Zambia, representatives of authorities were part of the radio shows, which helped to increase credibility and acceptance.  

Conclusions and Lessons Learned 

  • Use bigger outlets like radio shows to reach more people  
  • Attract people through a combination of entertainment and education  
  • involve multiplicators (leaders, politicians, authorities, teachers etc.) 
  • link practical daily life issues with the zoonosis message to increase acceptance, initiate a dialogue and achieve behavioural change 
    different target populations require different approach and messaging 

Products

Project Report:

How to Protect Wildlife AND Human Health-lowresDownload

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen. – Global Lessons from 18 projects” 

Find the event report here.

Health Risks Associated with Urban Wildmeat in Nairobi, Kenya and Lagos, Nigeria

Wild meat is a vital source of animal protein for many communities around the world. However, trade in and consumptive use of wild animals poses several health risks to the human population, in addition to threatening global biodiversity. Since wild meat is mostly traded informally, and through complex food supply chains, understanding the potential impacts it may have on public health is notably difficult. That’s because there are no clear food safety guidelines such as those governing foods from crops or farm animals. Several studies have documented the existence of pathogens in wild meat, as well as disease outbreaks associated with handling and or consumption of wild animals or wild meat. However, little is known about risk of exposure of humans to these pathogens along the wild meat value chains (VC). Few studies have conducted risk assessment regarding wild meat handling and consumption, but such studies did not use a VC approach for risk analysis. Regardless, data from mapping wild meat VC, even though limited, has been used to identify conservation entry points in West, Central and East Africa. It is possible that risk analysis conducted through a VC approach can help identify critical control and entry points for diseases into the human population. Our project therefore intends to use a VC approach to estimate the risk of exposure to humans of the pathogens along the wild meat VC in Nairobi (Kenya) and Lagos (Nigeria). Data on the structure and characteristics of the wild meat VC in these cities continues to be vital in informing conservation policies. Most importantly, the findings from this study enhanced global understanding of existing food hazards of wild meat in urban centres, and probability of exposure to such hazards at the VC nodes. Such information is vital in identifying critical disease control points thus enhancing local, national and global capacity for disease outbreak prevention and control.

Main Results:

  • Actors along the Lagos and Nairobi wild meat VC engage in health-risky practices that could lead to their exposure to zoonotic diseases. 
  • Conservation status assessments of wildlife in study areas are outdated and may not reflect their true current statuses. 
  • VC actors in both cities have limited knowledge and poor attitudes regarding the health risks that could result from wild meat handling. This potentially drives the observed practices. 
  • Available data suggests that wild meat extraction in both cities are hugely a male affair, while women are engaged in the distal nodes of the value chain. 

Products:

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects” 

The Application of One Health Approach to Raise Wildlife Protection Awareness (OHAWE) in Indonesia

Indonesia is amongst the most biodiverse regions in the world. That comes in hand with a high diversity of wild animals living amongst the many different ecosystems. 14% of the total mammal species in the world find a home on the islands of Indonesia. High density of wild animals and the destruction of the ecosystems due to land-use change and overexploitation, force wild animals and humans to live closer and closer together. Furthermore, hunting and wildlife trade is a common source of income for the local communities. This rising interaction between the people and wildlife brings various health risks and environmental damage. The risks of spillover from wildlife trade come in the form of pathogens that can lead to zoonosis diseases. In Indonesia, people are dealing with issues such as insufficient public knowledge and awareness regarding wildlife trade risks and threats. Especially in rural areas, many people are not aware of the health risks connected to wildlife interaction. Thus, educating the community, starting from an early age, is essential. With this goal in mind, the project team raised awareness of wildlife protection for children using local values and customs. 

The output of this project consists of two main products:  

  • Publication of ten trilingual storybooks and Podcasts (English, Indonesian, native language)  
  • Launch of Storytelling Events  

The Publication of ten trilingual storybooks:  

In phase one, illustrated storybooks in five native languages were created and distributed to elementary schools in five regions of Indonesia (Aceh, Yogyakarta, East java, Bali, Papua) differ around the country, each region chose an animal species with the risk of zoonotic diseases, that is relevant to their area: in Aceh they chose the Orangutan, in Yogyakarta they chose bats and in East Java they chose the East Javan Langur. 

Due to the success in phase one, five more storybooks in in five more regions (South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Riau, West Java) were developed. In this run, the project also entailed the creation of podcasts made by students at Udayana University in cooperation with wildlife experts. 

The animals per region were chosen through group discussions about recent issues and cases with wildlife-human interactions, literature research of academic papers, articles and news as well as site visits and interviews with experts and locals.  

The development of the stories was done with the focus on conveying scientific information as well as making the story interesting for the children. In the process experts of all fields could learn from each other and ensure an ideal product. The team managed to combine science, literacy, and art in accordance with the local environment, culture, values, beliefs and practices related to wildlife trade. An interdisciplinary approach to the creation of the books was ensured through the collaboration with native language experts, local design and illustration artists, wildlife veterinarians, and other relevant stakeholders. 

Each book consists of 30-40 pages that provide three languages: Bahasa Indonesia, a native language and English. By carefully paying attention to the delivery of mother languages in the book, it can provide children with a better understanding of the issue and raise awareness around it. Each book was printed in 500 copies. 

Storytelling is a popular feature of sharing knowledge between generations in local communities. It creates characters that children can connect to, making it easier for young children to understand the message.  

The translation into the mother tongue of the different regions ensures easier comprehension of the topic through the elimination of language barriers. Providing three languages makes sure that the children can choose the language that they feel the most comfortable in. This makes the reading experience easier and more fun. 

The books created are:  

Aceh Region – Selamat Jalan ke Habitatmu, Dek BenDownload
Yogyakarta – Selamatkan Kal!-komprimiertDownload
East Java – Rumah Terbaik Tung Si Lutung JawaDownload
Bali – Nyamprut Tidak Makan Roti- OHCC UdayanaDownload
Papua Region_Kuskus Totol dan Abu-abu dari PapuaDownload

In a second project phase 5 more books were developed

East Nusa Tenggara Cepat Sembuh Ciko – Get Well Soon Ciko!Download
South Sulawesi Terbang bebaslah Allo – Fly free, Allo!Download
West Java Penjaga Tringgiling – Guardians of The PangolinDownload
Riau buku harimau sumatra – The Adventure Tita the Sumatran Tiger CubDownload
South Kalimantan Tiga Sekawan Selidik Beruang Madu – The Curious Case of the Sun BearDownload

Here are podcast and talkshows created in the second project phase

East Java
1.⁠ ⁠Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdwvFh9bwa8
2.⁠ ⁠Talkshow https://youtu.be/zKzPT_pR-lc?si=mfeeyDt7LWcTqUXI

Yogyakarta
1.⁠ ⁠Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbEcPL_hebU
2.⁠ ⁠Talkshow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0tjkL2fR5Q

West Java
1.⁠ ⁠Podcast https://youtu.be/ZuWkBCLxosA
2.⁠ ⁠Talkshow https://youtu.be/ZuWkBCLxosA

Bali
1.⁠ ⁠Podcast https://youtu.be/mF6OY-9M4vY?si=wA1ztDuFKF76nZVN
2.⁠ ⁠Talkshow https://youtu.be/-nP35k66Bjg?si=NYBvnDuoJlKHyd6I

Aceh
1.⁠ ⁠Podcast https://youtu.be/Ij7H20K5cCo?si=EKE_PbGl2ZYAk0SG
2.⁠ ⁠Talkshow https://youtu.be/NKTD-4A657A?si=BSUsoMNxvJ6BHJwk

South Sulawesi
1.⁠ ⁠Podcast: https://youtu.be/-inIUjc7dBM?si=dgZK3GE1kwbPzK3Z 

The Launch of the Storytelling Events and the Distribution of Books 

Storytelling and book launching events were held in all of the regions. In cooperation with local storytellers, theatrical performers and public health experts, each region created different events to present the storybooks according to their culture. Some performers utilised puppets and Wayang (traditional puppets), some accompanied the events with music or costumes. All events involved interactive elements to ensure the engagement of the audience and deepen the understanding of wildlife interactions and their risks. While the elementary students (age 9-12) were the main attendees, there were also parents, teachers, and representatives from the Education and Library offices present at the events.  

Quizzes before and after the events showed an increased understanding of the risks of wildlife interaction after the Storytelling events. Parents affirmed this notion by reporting that their children were able to recall the story and its messages.  

The books were then distributed through regional coordination with elementary schools, Education offices, Library and Archive offices, city libraries and other community services for the children and anyone interested. The books reached 2500 children in total through partnerships with more than 46 partners in all regions.  

Conclusion:  

Overall, this project shows a great success in addressing risks in wildlife interaction and sensitising people from a young age. It has successfully reached so many children and adults, and the books will continue to advocate for sustainable human-wildlife interaction. The project ensures the education of more people in more regions. Through application of One Health principles and the collaboration with so many stakeholders and experts from different backgrounds a holistic and culturally sensitive approach was ensured.  

Find out more in the recording of our online event Voices from the Ground: Voices from the Ground: The Application of a One Health Approach to Raise Wildlife Protection Awareness (OHAWE) in Indonesia – International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade 

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects”  

Health Monitoring of Animals Subject to Illegal Trafficking from the One Health Perspective

The realities of illegal wildlife trade, the changes in ecosystem dynamics, and the closeness of human population to wild areas, are events that could potentially trigger the appearance of diseases through zoonosis. These elements joined with the fact that there is significant lack of knowledge regarding the health of wildlife in northern Guatemala, highlighted the need to train personnel, equip an entity dedicated to the health of wild animals and create a methodology for obtaining viable samples for correct long-term storage, safeguarding irreplaceable biological information, and facilitating present and future research. Improving the chances of early detection of pathogens and the future conservation of the integral health of the wild fauna of the Maya Biosphere Reserve.  

The main objective of this project was to strengthen the regional knowledge on One Health issues, through the generation of a baseline of information on pathogens in wild animals, producing a bank of properly managed and preserved samples, and training the staff of institutions related to this work and topic. Project partner was the Guatemalan NGO ARCAS, that is among other engagements running a rescue centre in Petén/ Guatemala.  

Main outcome: 

  • Screening of samples from 714 different animals including primates, birds and reptiles identifying VEEV (Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus), Patois virus, and hepacivirus. 
  • Training of rangers to report wildlife accidents or deaths in the Selva Maya to ARCAS 
  • Equipped an entity dedicated to the health of wild animals and create a methodology for obtaining viable samples for correct long-term storage, safeguarding irreplaceable biological information, and facilitating present and future research. 

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects” 

Changing Dynamics and Health Risks along the Illegal Wildlife Trade Supply Chain from Myanmar to China and Thailand

The project aimed to investigate changing dynamics and health risks at multiple levels along the wildlife trade chain in Myanmar. In particular, the project sought to identify pathogens circulating in wildlife, including prey, predators, and arthropods as disease vectors of traded or locally consumed species. As part of a One Health approach, livestock, other domestic animals, and humans were also studied to determine if, where, and how such pathogens cross species boundaries along the wildlife trade chain. These investigations were embedded within a contextual socio-cultural and socio-economic study of actors who were involved along the entire wildlife contact chain in the study areas. Training was provided with a focus on participatory research techniques that are adapted to conflict and gender dynamics. 

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects” 

Preventing the next pandemic: human and wildlife health monitoring and formulation of best practice guidelines and inclusion of health indicators in development planning

The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated the interconnected nature of human, animal and environmental health. The wide-ranging effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have shown how zoonotic spillover events can have profound impacts on economies, social orders and global public health. 
This project looked at the direct contact points between humans and wildlife, often connected to activities such as consumption of wild meat, since they often act as key drivers for disease emergence. Although these activities usually happen on a local scale, on today’s interconnected planet, diseases can quickly spread and have a global impact. Changing the spillover cascade needs more than new knowledge. It needs investment, capacity and political will to disrupt the cascade. UNEP partnered with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in the Republic of the Congo to monitor wildlife and human health, established baselines in areas which are gazetted for future development and assessed spillover risks.  Additionally, the project fed information from human and wildlife health monitoring into the formulation of best practice guidelines and explored options to include health indicators in development planning. This policy component was led by the Avoid, Reduce, Restore and Conserve (ARRC) Task force under the IUCN Primate Specialist Group and Sections on Great Apes and Smaller Apes. The ARRC task force is administered by Re:Wild. 

The overall objective of the field component under the lead of WCS was to extend the scale of surveillance for zoonotic diseases by implementing next-generation sequencing (NGS) and developing more robust capabilities for the detection of known and unknown pathogens from a range of biological samples by building on existing activities, infrastructure and capabilities. Samples were also taken from an area which has been pristine so far but has been gazetted for future development to first: establish baseline information, and second: be able to monitor during the development process. This goes beyond this project but is an important step in being able to identify the drivers of spill over events. 

Main Outcome: 

The results indicate that bat populations in these regions are carriers of zoonotic viruses, with a considerable risk of virus spillover to humans. The variation in virus prevalence between the two regions investigated highlights the need for localized surveillance and targeted public health interventions. The roll out of new technologies and capacity building at local and national level was an important step in increasing capacity in human and wildlife health monitoring and to respond to this need.

The inclusion of health risks for great apes in International Finance Corporation (IFC) biodiversity standards was leveraged to shape development planning for lending banks and the private sector, assess IFC’s performance standards related to health, and initiate discussions on revising existing health indicators. The IFC Performance Standards are used by over 150 organisations, including Equator Principles signatories, export credit agencies, and Development Finance organisations. 

Our recommendations for a better inclusion of the biodiversity and health nexus in the performance standards of the International Finance Corporation will  be fed into the consultation process on the IFC safeguards framework later in 2026  

  

 Products:  

  • Gilardi, K.V., Düx, A., Gillespie, T.R., Kalema-Zikusoka, G., Leendertz, F., Nze-Nkogue, C., Patrono, L.V., Raphael, J, Sulistyo, F., Kambale Syaluha & Whittier, C. (Eds. Sunderland-Groves, J.L., Williamson, E.A. & Macfie, E.J.). An update on great ape population health, disease control and outbreak response. Supplement to the Best practice guidelines for health monitoring and disease control in great ape populations. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. 
  • Best Practice Guidelines for Mitigating the Impacts of Large-Scale Development Projects on Apes 
  • Infographic on ape disease mitigation in the context of industrial development projects 

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects” 

A Buddhist Wildlife Trade Demand Reduction Initiative In Southeast Asia

Project period: 15.Dec. 2021 – 14. March. 2025

Southeast Asia is a biodiversity hotspot and a major hub for national and international wildlife trade – both legal and illegal. The region plays a key role as an end-market as well as onward trafficking in the illegal trafficking of high-value endangered species products, including elephant ivory and rhino horn. Southeast Asian markets have also been identified as a hotspot for the development of new zoonotic disease.

This initiative comprises targeted public awareness and demand reduction campaigns in Vietnam, Bhutan and Mongolia that draw on the fundamental Buddhist principles of compassion towards all life, universal responsibility, and interdependence. The project enjoys the support of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the world’s largest Buddhist umbrella body, and the Buddhist leaders of the three project countries. By promoting conscious compassionate and sustainable lifestyle choices, based on Buddha’s teaching, the initiative aims to make a tangible contribution towards mitigating zoonotic disease spread and spill over risks, sustainability, biodiversity conservation, livelihood protection and peace. Collaborations with partners from faith-based communities have great potential to reach and positively influence the behaviour of wildlife consumers and traders.

General Outcomes:

  • 117 educational workshops and teachings were held in monasteries, schools, and relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations in all seven project locations in Mongolia, Bhutan and Vietnam, directly reaching close to 74 000 people.
  • A universal “Buddha Nature” logo was adopted in all locations to create a recognisable and relatable brand. Adding to that each country created an individual slogan.
  • The project reached an audience of more than 2.8 million people through social media, TV, public displays and other platforms.
  • Films, children’s books and many other educational tools were developed.
  • Monastic leaders in the three project countries have pledged to integrate the project concept into their messaging beyond the end of the project. In addition, a One Health roadmap for effective Buddhist demand reduction initiatives was created that is transferable to other faiths.

Further links:

Buddhist Wildlife introduction in Bhutan: Buddhist Wildlife Trade Demand Reduction Initiative in Southeast Asia – Launch

Barbara Maas Talk at Bhutan launch event: Talk 1: Dr. Barbara Mass – Buddhist Wildlife Trade Demand Reduction Initiative

Mr. Kinga Norbu: status of illegal wildlife trade and poaching in Bhutan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSRFC3LwVKA

How Myth and Superstition are Encouraging Wildlife Trade and Poaching | Dr. Karma Phuntsho: Talk 3: How Myth and Superstition are Encouraging Wildlife Trade and Poaching | Dr. Karma Phuntsho

Dendup T. 2022. Buddhist Wildlife Trade Demand Reduction Initiative in Southeast Asia. British Broadcasting System.

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects”