Endangered animals threatened by pandemic as eco-tourists stay home

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A lion on the grasslands of the Masai Mara, Kenya

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The coronavirus pandemic initially looked like a blessing for wildlife with fewer vehicles in national parks and birds broadcasting song over greater distances. But the rumble of warnings about covid-19’s impact on eco-tourism, and the conservation efforts it funds, has built into a roar.

Kenya, one of Africa’s top destinations for safaris, has been hit particularly hard. “We’ve had quite a dramatic impact,” says Drew McVey at WWF Kenya. The group found a 75 per cent decline in bookings reported by 90 per cent of the …

source: newscientist.com