Big decisions were made at the UN's Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). This convention affected the conservation of pangolin, African Gray Parrots, lions, elephants, rhinos, sharks, and rays. CITES put eight species of pangolin on "appendix one" meaning their can be no international movement of these animals for trade. It also finally put the African Gray Parrot on appendix one which have seen their numbers diminish immensely due to deforestation and illegal poaching and catching. Lion parts are now only allowed to be traded by private owners of captive bred lions. The proposal of Zimbabwe and Namibia for allowing of trade of ivory to fund conservation programs was rejected. The southern African Kingdom of Swaziland was also rejected after the proposal of rhino horn to be sold on the market to raise money for conservation efforts. Four species of sharks and nine species of rays are now in appendix two which now strictly regulates all fishing of these animals. The two biggest push's after this convention were the restrictions on ivory trade of elephants and rhinos and as well as the heavy harvesting restrictions on sharks and rays. It is tough to take a side on the ivory ruling as each have good points. Conservation groups rely on trophy hunting and sell of ivory in order to fund their programs. It has shown to be effective sacrificing the few for the improvement of the entire population. The other side counters that with the idea that allowing for any type of ivory trade encourages poaching and keeps ivory as a prominent source in society. The other important ruling about setting tight restricitons on the consumption of certain ray and shark species has me excited yet I would have liked to have seen them add these species into appendix one so that their populations can flourish again without human intervention. http://pulse.ng/world/convention-on-international-trade-in-endangered-species-decisions-made-at-un-meeting-on-wildlife-trade-in-south-africa-id5563466.html
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Alex Garcia-Environmentalist Archives
December 2016
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