Coronavirus: How the pandemic could fuel illegal poaching across Africa

Restricted travel due to Covid-19 is cutting off vital tourism for local communities

As international travel remains heavily restricted due to Covid-19, wildlife charities are voicing fears that the impact on Africa’s communities and conservation efforts could be devastating.

Kafue National Park in western Zambia is not only home to an abundance of wildlife, but also props up neighbouring villages with employment and revenue brought in by tourism.

These communities are feeling the full impact of the pandemic, and some are resorting to poaching for bushmeat, as well as to supply the illegal wildlife trade as a vital source of income.

On World Ranger Day, The Independent and Evening Standard's Stop The Illegal Wildlife campaign has teamed up with conservation charity Space for Giants who protect Africa’s wildlife and local communities from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Watch our video report from Zambia for the full story on the effect the pandemic is having.

Donate to help Stop the Illegal Wildlife Trade here.