CITES and the Zoonotic Disease Content in International Wildlife Trade

In 1973 the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was called to life as to regulate the international wildlife trade, and to prevent species becoming (economically and biologically) extinct. The trade in freshwater turtles and tortoises in Asia is so huge that it threatens the survival of many species. In 2006 and 2007, during three surveys at Chatuchak market in Bangkok, Thailand, we recorded a significant trade in non-native CITES-listed freshwater turtles and tortoises to be used as pets. We documented a total of 688 individuals of 19 species from different regions of the world, many of which are globally threatened with extinction. Most commonly recorded were three species of tortoise from Madagascar and Africa, i.e. Radiated Tortoise Geochelone radiata, Spurred Tortoise G. sulcata and Leopard Tortoise G. pardalis. Five species were listed on CITES Appendix I, precluding all international trade, and an additional six Appendix II or III-listed species that can be traded albeit regulated, were not registered as being imported into Thailand in the last six year. CITES I-listed species were not more expensive than CITES II or III listed species, nor was there a relationship between retail price and numbers of turtles observed. The large number and availability of illegally sourced animals indicates a blatant disregard for law and authority by traders both from Thailand and from exporting countries. We conclude that the trade in these species, in such significant volumes, is of serious conservation concern, and in order for CITES to be more effective it is imperative that Parties recognize the scale of the international trade in freshwater turtles and tortoises and respond accordingly.

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Animal origins of SARS coronavirus: possible links with the international trade in small carnivores

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2004.1492 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 359 (1447) ◽

pp. 1107-1114 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Diana Bell ◽

Scott Roberton ◽

Paul R. Hunter

Keyword(s):

Significant Proportion ◽

Interdisciplinary Approach ◽

Wildlife Trade ◽

Human Populations ◽

Sars Coronavirus ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Biodiversity Crisis ◽

International Borders ◽

Animal Populations ◽

International Wildlife Trade

The search for animal host origins of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus has so far remained focused on wildlife markets, restaurants and farms within China. A significant proportion of this wildlife enters China through an expanding regional network of illegal, international wildlife trade. We present the case for extending the search for ancestral coronaviruses and their hosts across international borders into countries such as Vietnam and Lao People's Democratic Republic, where the same guilds of species are found on sale in similar wildlife markets or food outlets. The three species that have so far been implicated, a viverrid, a mustelid and a canid, are part of a large suite of small carnivores distributed across this region currently overexploited by this international wildlife trade. A major lesson from SARS is that the underlying roots of newly emergent zoonotic diseases may lie in the parallel biodiversity crisis of massive species loss as a result of overexploitation of wild animal populations and the destruction of their natural habitats by increasing human populations. To address these dual threats to the long–term future of biodiversity, including man, requires a less anthropocentric and more interdisciplinary approach to problems that require the combined research expertise of ecologists, conservation biologists, veterinarians, epidemiologists, virologists, as well as human health professionals.

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Monitoring International Wildlife Trade with Coded Species Data

Conservation Biology ◽

10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00857.x ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 4-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Keyword(s):

Wildlife Trade ◽

International Wildlife Trade

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International Wildlife Trade

Audubon Wildlife Report 1988/1989 ◽

10.1016/b978-0-12-041001-9.50019-4 ◽

1988 ◽

pp. 336-374 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ginette Hemley

Keyword(s):

Wildlife Trade ◽

International Wildlife Trade

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The Seven Forms of Challenges in the Wildlife Trade

Tropical Conservation Science ◽

10.1177/1940082920947023 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 194008292094702

Author(s):

David L. Roberts ◽

Amy Hinsley

Keyword(s):

Geographic Origin ◽

Product Form ◽

Wildlife Trade ◽

Complex Dimensions ◽

Elephant Ivory ◽

Key Dimensions ◽

Structured Approach ◽

International Wildlife Trade

Initiatives that aim to regulate the international wildlife trade must take into account its multiple and often complex dimensions in order to be effective. To do this, it is essential to understand the interactions between three of the key dimensions of the wildlife trade: (1) taxonomic unit, (2) geographic origin, and (3) product form and transformation. We propose a framework to provide a structured approach to defining the complexities of the wildlife trade, based on Rabinowitz’s seven forms of rarity. We demonstrate the complexities and how they apply to our framework using two contrasting examples: the trade in elephant ivory, and the horticultural orchid trade. Further we use the framework to map different traceability solutions. To be as efficient as possible, efforts to tackle the illegal and unsustainable utilisation of wildlife should take a more structured approach. This framework identifies challenges that current initiatives may face, how they may interact and provides a structure for designing future interventions.

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The trade in bear parts from Myanmar: an illustration of the ineffectiveness of enforcement of international wildlife trade regulations

Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.1007/s10531-007-9228-9 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 35-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Chris R. Shepherd ◽

Vincent Nijman

Keyword(s):

Wildlife Trade ◽

International Wildlife Trade

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Use of the Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) as a Required Data Element in International Wildlife Trade: Response to Fragoso and Ferriss

Conservation Biology ◽

10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.01095.x ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 1651-1654 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

HELEN GERSON ◽

BECKY CUDMORE ◽

NICHOLAS E. MANDRAK ◽

LONNY D. COOTE ◽

KEN FARR ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wildlife Trade ◽

Data Element ◽

Serial Number ◽

International Wildlife Trade

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What is the current state of knowledge and distribution of evidence on established policies and programs to regulate international wildlife trade? A systematic map protocol

10.31235/osf.io/fx8ur ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Samantha H Cheng ◽

Janine E. Robinson ◽

Siri L.A. Öckerman ◽

Neil A. Cox ◽

Annette Olsson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

A Priori ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Wildlife Trade ◽

Future Research ◽

Systematic Map ◽

Illicit Trade ◽

Policies And Programs ◽

International Wildlife Trade

Background: The international trade of wildlife (animals and plants) provides critical resources for human communities worldwide and contributes to local, national, and international economies. However, increasing demand presents a significant threat to both species and ecosystems as well as wildlife-centered livelihoods. Concerns regarding illicit trade of wildlife and unsustainable harvest has propelled international wildlife trade regulation to the top of political and conservation agendas. Consequently, a broad range of interventions have been established to regulate the trade and address biodiversity decline. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts of international wildlife trade interventions, this protocol sets out the parameters for a systematic map which will comprehensively collate and describe the extent and distribution of the evidence base. The resulting map aims to provide insight to guide future research and inform practice. Methods: This systematic map will identify, map, and characterize the available evidence on the impacts of established policies and programs to address international wildlife trade. Specifically, the systematic map will describe: (1) the volume and distribution of studies that have examined impacts of various interventions on conservation, biological, and socioeconomic outcomes; (2) research methodologies that have been used to evaluate impacts; (3) distribution of studies on particular taxa and geographical areas; and (4) identify evidence gaps in need of more research. We will search two publication databases and several organizational and topical websites for relevant published articles and grey literature. In addition, a call for literature will be issued among relevant research networks. The titles, abstracts, and full texts of captured studies will be assessed against inclusion criteria. Double screening will be carried out on a subset of studies to ensure consistency. Relevant information from studies will be extracted using an a priori codebook. The resulting map will consist of descriptive statistics, a heat map in the form of a matrix, and a narrative synthesis describing characteristics of included studies.

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Impact of zoonotic disease outbreaks on international wildlife trade dynamics in Ghana

10.1101/2021.09.18.460894 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Godfred Bempah ◽

Moses A. Nartey ◽

Kwaku B. Dakwa ◽

Kevin Messenger

Keyword(s):

Trade Flow ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

The United States ◽

Zoonotic Disease ◽

Zoonotic Diseases ◽

Wildlife Trade ◽

Depth Analysis ◽

In The Wild ◽

Trade Dynamics ◽

The Impact

AbstractWildlife is under intense pressure from trade, which most likely contributes to zoonotic diseases. The study explores the impact of zoonotic disease outbreaks on the wildlife trade of Ghana. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the trends of taxa trade and factors that influence trade from 1975–2018 by combining zoonotic disease data with data from the CITES database. Trade flow showed that reptiles were the most traded group, followed by birds, mammals, and amphibians. Species of the families Pythonidae, Dendrobatidae, Cercopithecidae, and Psittacidae were the most traded. The decade mean number of trade for 1997–2007 was the highest (n = 62) followed by 2008–2018 (n = 54.4). Most exporter countries that traded with Ghana are from Africa and importers from the United States of America, Europe and Asia. Continuous trade in reptiles and birds, especially the endangered pythons and psittacus species, could lead to their extinction in the wild. The outbreak of zoonotic diseases influenced the dynamics of the wildlife trade in Ghana as traders shifted their activities among taxa over a period of time. Because those taxa were observed to harbour zoonotic diseases and constitute high health risks when traded. Mammals’ trade flow decreased with disease outbreaks over time, while reptiles increased. Early detection of zoonotic diseases and the adoption of an expanded education module on avoiding species capable of harbouring pathogens will most likely help reduce trade in wildlife.

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