REPORT

2020

OPINION SURVEY ON COVID-19 AND
WILDLIFE TRADE IN 5 ASIAN MARKETSFINDINGS FROM SURVEY IN MARCH 2020

A REPORT FOR WWF BYACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The report was produced by GlobeScan, published by WWF.

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Published in April 2020 by WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature(Formerly World Wildlife Fund), Gland, Switzerland.
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INTRODUCTIONANDMETHODOLOGYThe novel coronavirus, or COVID-19,
which is suspected to originate
in Wuhan in the Hubei provinceof China, has now become a
global pandemic. With illegal andunregulated wildlife markets likely
to increase the risk of outbreaks suchas coronavirus, WWF commissioned
GlobeScan to conduct a survey
among the general public in Hong
Kong SAR, Japan, Myanmar,
Thailand, and Vietnam to measure and better understand opinions onwhat support looks like for the closure of all illegal and unregulated
markets, within the context of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Between the 3rd and the 11th of March, 2020, GlobeScan interviewed
n=1000 respondents in each of the 5 markets, totaling 5,000
respondents. Respondents were randomly selected and wererepresentative of gender and age of the online population of theirrespective market. In Myanmar, because it is a new market for research,
the online population was skewed toward younger individuals.
Respondents were asked about their sentiments on the coronavirus
outbreak in their respective country and their opinions on illegal andunregulated markets selling wildlife. For the purpose of this survey,‘wild animals’ are defined as non-domesticated, non-livestock terrestrial
animals (non-insect and non-aquatic).

OVERVIEW OF ALL 5 SURVEYED ASIAN MARKETSOverall level of worry about the coronavirus outbreak
Base: Among those aware of COVID-19, %Hong Kong
SAR (n=993)

31

46

21

2

Japan
(n=1000)

45

31

Myanmar(n=979)

61

18

20

1

Thailand(n=983)

52

34

14 1

Vietnam(n=996)

49

39

11 1

Total (5 markets) (n=4951)

48

34

VERY
WORRIEDEXTREMELYWORRIED

79%

VERY OR SOMEWHATEFFECTIVE

17

21

3

1

A BIT
WORRIEDNOT WORRIEDAT ALL

Perceived effectiveness of the closure of illegal and unregulated
markets where wild animals are sold, in order to prevent similar
pandemics from occurring in the future
Base: Among those aware of COVID-19, %Hong Kong
SAR (n=993)

35

Japan
(n=1000)

36

Myanmar(n=979)68

Thailand(n=983)33

45

11 9 1

Vietnam(n=996)38

35

18 6 245
36

14 5 1
21

61

24 7 1

6

Total (5 markets)

14 42
37

Very

Somewhateffective

effective
Neither effective
nor ineffective

4 Opinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets

1

Not veryeffective

Not effectiveat all93%

Likelihood of supporting efforts by governments andhealth ministries to close all illegal and unregulated
markets selling animals from the wild
Base: Among those aware of COVID-19, %VERY LIKELY OR LIKELY
Hong Kong
SAR (n=993)

64

Japan
(n=1000)

25

Myanmar(n=979)70

Thailand(n=983)51

Vietnam(n=996)

61

29
29

51

33

85
26

39

31
721

29

9 1

Note to reader:
In all markets, except for Japan, 90% or more of the people surveyed
were very likely or likely to support efforts by governments and healthministries to close all illegal and unregulated markets selling wildlife intheir country. However, in Japan, 59% of the respondents answeredthat there are no such markets in their country. In Japan, open wildlife
markets for meat are not prevalent. Therefore, this may explain why
only 54% claimed that they would support such government efforts.
For this reason, the charts related to questions about the closure ofillegal and unregulated markets selling wildlife include only the resultsfrom the other 4 markets; we excluded Japan from this total, as it was
not relevant.

Total (4 markets)

6

31 62

1
Japan

MyanmarVery likely

LikelyNeither likely nor unlikely

Unlikely

VietnamVery unlikely

9%

PURCHASED

Hong Kong

ThailandPurchases in the past 12 months of wildlife
products (made by the respondent oranyone known) in an open wildlife market
Base: All respondents, %Hong Kong
SAR (n=1000)

4

85

11

Japan
(n=1000)

2

93

5

Myanmar(n=1000)

8

Thailand(n=1000)

15

74

11

Vietnam(n=1000)

15

72

13

88

9

Total (5 markets)

9

82

4

Yes

No

Not sure

Opinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets 5

Type of wildlife species purchased (by the respondent or someone known to them) in an
open wildlife market in the past 12 months – Total 5 markets (n=443)
Base: Buyers of wildlife products in the past 12 months, %1519Turtles

Pangolins

46

4
Other

20

Live birds

Civet cats

23

34

Bats

87%

NO CONSUMPTION
Hong Kong
SAR (n=993)

3 5 17

Snakes

Impact of coronavirus on
consumption of wildlife products
Among those aware of COVID-19, %Total(5 markets)

75

Japan
(n=1000)

1 13 63

77

Myanmar(n=979)3 36 782

Thailand(n=983)

2 25 1675

Vietnam(n=996)4 310 31

53

2
5
6
72
15

I consume more
wildlife products

There's no change inmy consumption of
wildlife products

I've completely
stopped consuming
any wildlife products

I consume lesswildlife products

I never consume
wildlife products

6 Opinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets

84%

UNLIKELY OR VERYUNLIKELY

Likelihood of buying wildlife products
in open wildlife markets in the future
Among those aware of COVID-19, %Total (5 markets)Hong Kong
SAR (n=1000)

2 34 1180

Japan(n=1000)

1 212 1076

Myanmar(n=1000)

6 6 7 27

Thailand(n=1000)

43 9 6

Vietnam(n=1000)

6 6 7 16

8 14
4
70
4

53
78
66

Very likely

LikelyUnlikely

Very unlikely

Neither likely nor unlikely

Different channels to buy wildlife products if these wildlife markets are closed in the
future (top 3 chosen)
Base: Of those likely to purchase wildlife products in the future, %Hong Kong SAR(n=48)

Myanmar(n=127)Japan(n=28)

Wouldn't buy
anymore41

Wouldn't buy
anymore52

Wouldn't buy
anymore43

From a trusted
supplier

34

From a trusted
supplier

27

From a trusted
supplier36

Via online

18

Overseas

25

Online18

Thailand(n=66)

Vietnam(n=115)

Wouldn't buy
anymore46

Overseas

43

Overseas

22

Wouldn't buy
anymore26

From a trusted
supplier

21

Online24

Opinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets 7

OPINION SURVEY ON COVID-19 AND WILDLIFE
TRADE IN 5 ASIAN MARKETS: HONG KONG SAR
78%

responded that they are extremely or very worried about theoutbreak of the coronavirus. Females were more worried (81%),and people with children even more so (82%). People under the age of 41(averaging at 81%) were found to be more worried about the coronavirus
than those older than 41 (averaging at 75%).

THE TOP 3

most important institutions to combat thecoronavirus outbreak were perceived to be, inranking order: medical professionals (51%), the municipality/local
government (49%) and fellow citizens (44%). Medical professionals arealso the most trusted to combat the coronavirus outbreak (70%), followedby scientific/academic research institutions (49%) and the municipality/
local government (32%).

94% 80%

ARE LIKELY TOSUPPORT THE
CLOSURE OF ALL
ILLEGAL AND
UNREGULATEDMARKETSSELLINGWILDLIFE

believed that a closure of the illegal and unregulated markets
selling animals coming from the wild would prevent similar
pandemic diseases from happening in the future. If no measures aretaken to close these markets or to strictly regulate them, 85% claimed thatthey would be extremely worried or very worried that a similar pandemic
outbreak could happen in the future.

94%

were very likely or likely to support efforts by governments andhealth ministries to close all illegal and unregulated markets
selling wildlife. They were also willing to support initiatives and efforts
by: stopping eating wildlife products and bushmeat (meat from wild/nonfarmed) animals (51%), convincing others not to buy/eat wildlife products
and bushmeat (meat from wild/non-farmed) animals (46%) and by sharing
news related to wildlife markets online via social media (42%).

4%

claimed that they or someone they know purchased wildlife
products in open wildlife markets in the past 12 months. Thesebuyers were mostly males (69%) and aged 56+ (49%). The main wildlife
species they bought were snakes (58%), civet cats (46%) and pangolins(35%).

91%

are unlikely or very unlikely to buy wildlife products in illegal
and unregulated markets selling animals coming from the wildin the future.

8 Opinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets

OPINION SURVEY ON COVID-19 AND WILDLIFE
TRADE IN 5 ASIAN MARKETS: JAPAN
76%

responded that they are extremely or very worried about theoutbreak of the coronavirus. Females were more worried (81%),
as well as people with children (79%). People aged 21-30 (82%) and 61 orolder (81%) were more worried about the coronavirus outbreak.

THE TOP 3

most important institutions to combat thecoronavirus outbreak were perceived to be, inranking order: national government (73%), medical professionals (43%)
and fellow citizens (43%). When it comes to the most trusted institutions
to combat the coronavirus outbreak, respondents answered, in ranking
order: national government (55%), medical professionals (51%) and themunicipality/local government (39%).

54% 72%

ARE LIKELY TOSUPPORT THE
CLOSURE OF ALL
ILLEGAL AND
UNREGULATEDMARKETSSELLINGWILDLIFE

believed that a closure of illegal and unregulated markets selling
animals coming from the wild would prevent similar pandemic
diseases from happening in the future. If no measures are taken to close
these markets or to strictly regulate them, 65% claimed that they would be
extremely worried or very worried that a similar pandemic outbreak could
happen in the future.

54%

were very likely or likely to support the efforts by governments
and health ministries to close all illegal and unregulated markets
selling wildlife. Although this is low compared to other markets, this
could be because 59% mentioned that there are no such markets in Japan.
Respondents were willing to support initiatives and efforts by stopping
eating wildlife products and bushmeat (meat from wild/non-farmed)
animals (28%), convincing others not to buy/eat wildlife products andbushmeat (meat from wild/non-farmed) animals (27%) and by stopping
visiting and buying in these markets (26%).

2%

claimed that they or someone they know purchased wildlife
products in open wildlife markets (most likely overseas) in thepast 12 months. These buyers tended to be male (52%) and between 18-35
years old (47%). The main wildlife species they bought were bats (33%),
snakes (24%) and turtles (19%).

85%

are unlikely or very unlikely to buy wildlife products in illegal
and unregulated markets in the future.

Opinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets 9

OPINION SURVEY ON COVID-19 AND WILDLIFE
TRADE IN 5 ASIAN MARKETS: MYANMAR
79%

responded that they are extremely or very worried about theoutbreak of the coronavirus. Females were more worried (85%),
as well as people aged 41 or above (96%).

THE TOP 3

96%

ARE LIKELY TOSUPPORT THE
CLOSURE OF ALL
ILLEGAL AND
UNREGULATEDMARKETSSELLINGWILDLIFE

most important institutions to combat thecoronavirus outbreak were perceived to be, inranking order: national government (45%), fellow citizens (41%) andmedical professionals (40%). Similarly, when it comes to the most trusted
institutions to combat the coronavirus outbreak, respondents answered, inranking order: national government (41%), fellow citizens (39%), medical
professionals and scientific/academic research institutions (37% each).

91%

believed that a closure of illegal and unregulated markets selling
animals coming from the wild would prevent similar pandemic
diseases from happening in the future. If no measures are taken to close
these markets or to strictly regulate them, 83% claimed that they would be
extremely worried or very worried that a similar pandemic outbreak could
happen in the future.

96%

were very likely or likely to support the efforts by governments
and health ministries to close all illegal and unregulated markets
selling wildlife. They were also willing to support initiatives and efforts
by sharing news related to wildlife markets online via social media (77%),
sharing relevant campaigns online via social media (76%), stopping eating
wildlife products and bushmeat (meat from wild/non-farmed) animals andby convincing others not to buy/eat wildlife products and bushmeat (meatfrom wild/non-farmed) animals (75% each).

8%

claimed that they or someone they know purchased wildlife
products in open wildlife markets in the past 12 months. Thesebuyers were mostly males (56%) and aged between 18-35 years old (64%).
The main wildlife species they bought were live birds (43%), snakes (31%)
and civet cats (26%).

80%

are unlikely or very unlikely to buy wildlife products in illegal
and unregulated markets in the future.

10 Opinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets

OPINION SURVEY ON COVID-19 AND WILDLIFE
TRADE IN 5 ASIAN MARKETS: THAILAND
86%

responded that they are extremely or very worried about theoutbreak of the coronavirus. Females were more worried (88%),
as well as people with children (88%). People aged 40 or under (90%) werealso found to be more worried about the coronavirus outbreak.

THE TOP 3

90%

ARE LIKELY TOSUPPORT THE
CLOSURE OF ALL
ILLEGAL AND
UNREGULATEDMARKETSSELLINGWILDLIFE

most important institutions to combat thecoronavirus outbreak were perceived to be, inranking order: national government (61%), medical professionals (52%)
and fellow citizens (42%). However, when it comes to the most trusted
institutions to combat the coronavirus outbreak, respondents answered, inranking order: medical professionals (65%), scientific/academic research
institutions (50%) and national government (45%).

79%

believed that a closure of illegal and unregulated markets selling
animals coming from the wild would prevent similar pandemic
diseases from occurring in the future. If no measures are taken to close
these markets or to strictly regulate them, 80% claimed that they would be
extremely worried or very worried that a similar pandemic outbreak could
happen in the future.

90%

were very likely or likely to support the efforts by governments
and health ministries to close all illegal and unregulated markets
selling wildlife. They were also willing to support initiatives and efforts
by no longer eating wildlife products and bushmeat (meat from wild/nonfarmed) animals (62%), sharing news related to wildlife markets online
via social media (57%) and by convincing others not to buy/eat wildlife
products and bushmeat (meat from wild/non-farmed) animals (56%).

15%

claimed that they or someone they know purchased wildlife
products in open wildlife markets in the past 12 months. Thesebuyers were mostly males (55%) and aged between 18-35 years old (46%).
The main wildlife species they bought were live birds (59%), snakes (37%)
and bats (30%).

85%

are unlikely or very unlikely to buy wildlife products in illegal
and unregulated markets in the future.

Opinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets 11

OPINION SURVEY ON COVID-19 AND WILDLIFE
TRADE IN 5 ASIAN MARKETS: VIETNAM
88%

responded that they are extremely or very worried about theoutbreak of the coronavirus. Females were more worried (92%),
as well as people aged 41-60 (91%).

THE TOP 3

90%

ARE LIKELY TOSUPPORT THE
CLOSURE OF ALL
ILLEGAL AND
UNREGULATEDMARKETSSELLINGWILDLIFE

most important institutions to combat thecoronavirus outbreak were perceived to be, inranking order: national government (51%), medical professionals (50%)
and the municipality/ local government (40%). When it comes to the mosttrusted institutions to combat the coronavirus outbreak, respondents
answered, in ranking order: medical professionals (55%), national
government (52%) and United Nations (40%).

73%

believed that a closure of illegal and unregulated markets selling
animals coming from the wild would prevent similar pandemic
diseases from happening in the future. And 72% believed that the samemeasurement for illegal and unregulated restaurants selling wildlife
would contribute to prevention as well. If no measures are taken to close
these markets or to strictly regulate them, 83% claimed that they would be
extremely worried or very worried that a similar pandemic outbreak could
happen in the future.

90%

were very likely or likely to support the efforts by governments
and health ministries to close all illegal and unregulated markets
that are selling wildlife. And 91% have the same kind of support to close
illegal and unregulated restaurants selling wildlife. They were also willingto support initiatives and efforts by sharing relevant campaigns online via
social media (56%), stopping the consumption of wildlife products andbushmeat (meat from wild/non-farmed) animals (49%) and by convincing
others not to buy/eat wildlife products and bushmeat (meat from wild/
non-farmed) animals (49%).

15%

claimed that they or someone they know purchased wildlife
products in open wildlife markets in the past 12 months. Thesebuyers were mostly males (55%) and aged between 36-45 years old (37%).
The main wildlife species they bought were live birds (48%), snakes (28%)
and bats (23%).

82%

are unlikely or very unlikely to buy wildlife products in illegal
and unregulated markets in the future.

12 Opinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets

FINDINGS

The survey found a strong understanding among
respondents about the connection between wildlife andoutbreaks like COVID-19.

It also found almost universal support across Southeast
Asia for government action to eliminate illegal and unregulated wildlife markets.
Such efforts were seen as an effective measure to help prevent similar outbreaks fromhappening in the future by 79% of the respondents. People said they would support theclosure of these markets by not eating wildlife products (55%) and convincing others
not to buy or eat wildlife products (53%), as well as by sharing relevant campaigns andnews (50%) or sharing information on wildlife protection (49%).
Among those who report that they would likely buy wildlife products in open markets
in the future, 41 percent say if those markets were shut down, they would not buy any
wildlife products from any other channel, indicating the potential effectiveness of suchdeterrents.
In the event that no measures were taken to close high-risk wildlife markets, almost
8 out of 10 respondents in the 5 markets say they would be extremely worried or very
worried that another similar outbreak would occur in the future.
Cracking down on illegal and unregulated wildlife trade is important to mitigate therisk of future zoonotic epidemics and safeguard people’s well-being and lives. With such
illegal and unregulated market closures, a sizeable downward impact on the purchaseof wildlife products in the future could be expected, thereby also impacting the flows ofillegal and unsustainable wildlife trade.
Unsustainable wildlife trade is the second-largest direct threat to biodiversity globally,
after habitat destruction. WWF is working to bring its wildlife expertise together withthat of global health experts to help stop the spread of zoonotic diseases at their source
and work together as a global community to close illegal and unregulated wildlife
markets.

Opinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife Trade in 5 Asian Markets 13

100%

RECYCLED93%
likelihood of supporting
governments to close allillegal and unregulated
markets.

79%
perceived effectiveness ofclosure of markets where
wild animals are sold.

9%
either purchased or
know someone thatpurchased wildlife
products in the past 12
months.

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To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment andto build a future in which people live in harmony with nature.
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84%
unlikely to buy
wildlife products
in open markets
again.

• OPINION SURVEY ON COVID-19 AND WILDLIFE TRADE IN 5 ASIAN MARKETSOpinion Survey on Covid-19 and Wildlife
Trade in 5 Asian Markets