Coronavirus: Pangolins found to carry related strains

[Judi Lynn]

Coronavirus: Pangolins found to carry related strains
By Helen Briggs
BBC News
26 March 2020

Smuggled pangolins have been found to carry viruses closely related to the one sweeping the world.

Scientists say the sale of the animals in wildlife markets should be strictly prohibited to minimise the risk of future outbreaks.

Pangolins are the most-commonly illegally trafficked mammal, used both as food and in traditional medicine.

. . .

Calls to end illegal wildlife trade
Conservationists say it would be devastating if the discovery led to further persecution of the endangered mammal. The animal's scales are in high demand for use in traditional Chinese medicine, while pangolin meat is considered a delicacy.

"This is the time for the international community to pressure their governments to end illegal wildlife trade," said Elisa Panjang of Cardiff University, a pangolin conservation officer at the Danau Girang Field Centre in Malaysia.

More:
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52048195

[Warpy]

1. Maybe rich men's palates and traditional medicine docs

can be placated with alligator. The scaly skin can sub for dragon scales (although our own fingernails and toenails would do, pangolin scales are a fairly pure keratin), and those with jaded palates would probably prefer alligator meat because it's exotic and expensive. In addition, they can be farmed and they're not endangered, now that fashion has moved on.

Otherwise, another strain will make the species jump and having this strain will confer only partial immunity, if that.