Welfare Science

Zoonotic Disease and Wildlife Interface Welfare

The interface between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans creates conditions for zoonotic disease emergence, with welfare of both animals and humans intertwined in One Health approaches.

Key Facts

Over 70% of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals
Wildlife markets and habitat encroachment increase contact between wildlife and humans
Spillover events that lead to pandemics often involve multiple species chains
Wildlife disease surveillance at the human-animal interface provides early warning
One Health policy frameworks integrate human, animal, and environmental health responses

Welfare Considerations

Zoonotic disease prevention at the wildlife-domestic animal interface benefits both animal and human welfare. Reducing wildlife exploitation, improving farm biosecurity, and maintaining wildlife habitat all reduce pandemic risk. This creates compelling cross-sectoral arguments for animal welfare investment.

What You Can Do

Support One Health policy frameworks and organisations
Advocate for wildlife habitat protection as pandemic prevention
Engage with the connections between wildlife welfare and human health in public discourse