Wildlife experts have alerted the Evening Standard that a global conservation “crisis” is unfolding as the disruption caused by Covid-19 causes a surge in the poaching of species for the illegal wildlife trade. India, Nepal, Pakistan and several African countries have all reported a poaching spike. A number of wildlife protection programmes have been curtailed due to the abrupt halt of tourism revenue as a result of Covid-19, leaving endangered animals more vulnerable to slaughter. In this special edition of the Leader podcast we speak to some of the world's leading conservation experts, who also warn that the booming poaching trade may have been the cause of coronavirus - and could do it again. You can also find out about the Evening Standard and Independent's joint Stop the Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign, which you can donate to here.

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