Dr. Kirk Douglas launched the Caribbean Wildlife Initiative webinar series by delivering a lunchtime lecture on Thursday, February 4, 2021, entitled 'Biosecurity Implications of Caribbean Wildlife on Health, Border Security, Tourism, Trade & Economy'. 

The islands and mainland Caribbean territories can be as exciting as Africa and China when it comes to hunting, eating, and trading in wildlife. Unfortunately, these activities, whether for sport or livelihood, also expose the vulnerabilities of the region: to emerging infectious disease; to wildlife depletion; to food security threats; to money laundering and possibly terror financing. The origin of current COVID-19 pandemic and other recent disease outbreaks like Ebola, SARS, 'bird flu', etc are believed to be linked to illegal wildlife trade and wildlife consumption practices globally. 
   
Join us on this CBS-led regional Wildlife Initiative to understand the dynamics involved with Caribbean wildlife and the varied impacts it can have on biosecurity systems within several Caribbean countries – including Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago.  Let us make our region safer for all.

To learn more about the webinar or research surrounding the Wildlife Initiative, email biosecurity@cavehill.uwi.edu.