Jane Goodall sends a message of hope from quarantine
The primatologist, who has just turned 86, is at home complying with the recommended measures of social isolation.
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 recommendations and remain in solitary confinement at her home in the UK, after all events on her North American tour have been cancelled. In her message, the charismatic conservationist shows her full support for the people affected by COVID-19, as well as for those who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis unleashed. Goodall has recognised social isolation measures as a key tool, not only to protect ourselves, but all our fellow citizens.
In defence of wildlife
This pandemic has resumed discussions about the danger of hunting and trafficking in wild animals, Goodall reminds us, who stressed how the new coronavirus has crossed the species-to-species barrier, as other viruses such as SARS or HIV have done before. In another message published a few days earlier, Goodall thus expressed the relationship between the mistreatment of wildlife and the crisis unleashed: "I hope and pray that the nightmare of wild animals that are caught and kept in terrible conditions to serve as food ends, or because some people think their organs have healing power or will give them strength and manhood,” the primatologist stated. "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 homes 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 sold in markets or used for entertainment has unleashed the misery and terror of the new viruses. They are viruses that exist in animals without harming them, but 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 will be applied in other cases such as trafficking in rhino horn or elephant ivory.
Jane Goodall has ended up sending a message of hope, remembering the behaviour 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 moment, 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 she received at "this surreal moment in which we are all locked up at home".
