Nature and COVID-19 in Africa

Selection of Statements, Press Releases, Blogs and Research Studies by Conservation International with Reference to Africa

Policy Recommendations Linking Nature and COVID-19 recovery: Shows pathway to economic recovery, environmental stability, the development of sustainable livelihoods, and public health. Cites a case study from South Africa.

Deforestation Drives Disease Spread; Preventing it Must Be Part of Long-Term COVID-19 Recovery Plans: Statement emphasizes need to protect nature to stem pandemics. Cites reports of deforestation and poaching in Africa following COVID-19 restrictions.

Conservation International Reports Increase in Poaching and Tropical Deforestation Due to COVID-19 Restrictions: Press release highlights nature on the receiving end in rural Kenya and Africa.

Poaching, deforestation reportedly on the rise since COVID-19 lockdowns: Blog highlights bush meat and ivory poaching in Kenya due to subsistence needs and illegal wildlife trade.

The COVID-19 Pandemic, Small-Scale Fisheries and Coastal Fishing Communities: study co-authored by Conservation International staff reveals challenges and solutions in Africa and beyond.

Media Coverage

ABC News: “Experts in Kenya fear poaching, deforestation are surging during COVID-19 lockdown”

Global Citizen: How our carbon credits program in Kenya’s Chyulu Hills is helping communities to fight poverty and protect forests and wildife amid COVID-19

HuffPost: As Africa’s wildlife reserves have emptied of tourists and curtailed patrols, opportunistic poachers are storming parks and other protected areas.

RTE: “Pandemic poachers aim to make a killing”

BBC Future: “The wild animals at risk in lockdown”

Earth Island Journal: “Covid-19 and Africa’s National Parks: ‘Utter and Total Devastation’”

World Economic Forum (WEF): “The COVID-19 pandemic is not a break for nature – let’s make sure there is one after the crisis”

Financial Times: “Poaching fears rise after coronavirus empties Kenya’s national parks.”