‘Game changer’ talks on threatened species
Print Edition
THE world’s largest wildlife meeting has wrapped up with conservationists hailing progress in tightening rules on trafficking of endangered species including sharks, gray parrots and pangolins.
But the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species conference in Johannesburg exposed sharp differences over how to best protect Africa’s elephants and rhinos.
Ten days of talks ended late on Tuesday, with the convention’s chief John Scanlon describing the meeting as “a game changer for the planet’s most vulnerable wild animals and plants.”
More than 2,500 delegates sifted through 62 proposals to reform trade restrictions on more than 400 species. In all, 51 proposals were accepted, five rejected and six were withdrawn.
Wildlife campaigners generally welcomed the outcome.
The World Wildlife Fund said that governments had united behind “tough decisions,” while the International Fund for Animal Welfare said that “conservation trumped commerce.”
Among the animals affected by the endangered species convention decisions were:
African gray parrots — Governments overwhelmingly voted to outlaw all trade of the much sought-after African gray parrot.
The birds are prized as pets because of their intelligence and ability to mimic human speech. Their numbers have been hit by poaching as well as destruction of forest habitats.
African elephants — A high-profile bid by 29 African countries to have all African elephants included in the highest category of protection was rejected after heated debate.
Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, which boast healthy elephant populations, argued against the proposal, and southern African elephants stayed on the list that could allow for trade under stringent conditions. International trade in ivory remains banned, and campaigners urged governments to concentrate on tackling trafficking.
A new study revealed that the number of African elephants has fallen by around 111,000 in the past decade.
Pangolins — Trade in all eight species of pangolin in Africa and Asia was banned when they were placed in the convention’s top protection category to save them from extinction.
The shy, scale-covered pangolin has become the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal, valued as an edible delicacy and ingredient in traditional medicine, especially in east Asia as well as across Africa. They curl up into a ball when under attack, allowing human hunters to easily pick them up.
Rhinos — A controversial bid by the tiny African kingdom of Swaziland to be permitted to trade its rhino horn was soundly defeated.
Sharks — Thirteen species of devil rays, thresher sharks and the silky shark, populations of which have been in free-fall, won tougher protection — they can be traded only under strict conditions.
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