Zoonotic diseases have been recognized since the eighteenth century and are described as those naturally transferred from animals to humans and vice versa. The emergence of zoonoses is linked to the historical shift from hunter-gatherer to agrarian societies and has been exacerbated by the intensification of food animal production to meet growing food demands. Zoonoses are currently classified by agent type, transmission route, direction of transmission, lifecycle, and ecosystem. However, a new classification framework is needed, as wildlife is a pivotal factor in the rise of novel zoonotic diseases. In Indonesia, established zoonotic diseases like rabies and avian influenza have caused long-standing economic disruption. Additionally, emerging zoonoses, such as Plasmodium knowlesi malaria, require attention due to factors like habitat change, habitat manipulation, and increasing insecticide resistance. The establishment of zoonotic pathogens is fundamentally tied to human survival and innovative activities that create new human-animal interfaces. Crucially, a significant portion of the pathogen pool has not yet been fully identified and assessed, leaving its risks for human spillover unknown. To effectively manage the threat of emerging zoonotic diseases, we must deepen our understanding of human-nature interdependence while simultaneously advancing our technologies for early disease detection.