scholarly journals Speciesism and the Wildlife Trade: Who gets Listed, Downlisted and Uplisted in CITES?

Author(s):  
Alison Hutchinson ◽  
Nathan Stephens-Griffin ◽  
Tanya Wyatt

Wildlife faces a number of threats due to human activity, including overexploitation from excessive and/or illegal trade. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the main international legal instrument to address such overexploitation. However, not all species threatened by excessive trade are protected by CITES, leading to criticism that it is an instrument for the preservation of exploitation as opposed to the protection of wildlife (Goyes and Sollund 2016). This article explores whether CITES classifications can be said to perpetuate speciesist thinking. We highlight which species are more likely to receive protection by analysing which species are listed and how some species move between the CITES Appendices and comparing this to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) classifications for traded wildlife. We find that a species’ market value, charisma, and survival status form a complex set of characteristics that lead (or not) to the continual trade of some species, even though they are facing extinction from human consumption.

1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-16
Author(s):  
Ramesh P Chaudhary

Review of Cites Implementation in Nepal and India – Law, Policy and Practice by Ravi Sharma Aryal Bhrikuti Academic Publications, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2004 200 pp, ISBN 99933-673-4-6 NRs 995, US$ 25 (paperback) The international illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products is one the major engines driving species to extinction. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which defines standards for use of wildlife and their products, represents a major global commitment to reverse this trend. It remains to be seen whether the terms of this treaty will be enforced. Focusing on Nepal and its neighbors, Aryal discusses the obstacles to its successful implementation: imprecise legislation, inconsistent policies, lack of coordination among relevant institutions (particularly, those responsible for regulating international trade), and the deadly threat posed by poachers determined to protect their endangered livelihoods. Aryal’s recommendations are detailed, far-reaching, and compelling. Himalayan Journal of Sciences 2(3): 15-16, 2004 The full text is of this article is available at the Himalayan Journal of Sciences website


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 2-8
Author(s):  
Nikola Sagapova ◽  
Radim Dusek

Wildlife trade involves many animal and plant species and their products. CITES (Convention on International Trafe in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) aims on protecting endangered plants and animals from being overharvested for the purposes of international trade through system of regulations, permits and monitoring. CITES Trade Database is a tool dedicated for the evidence of international trade of endangered wildlife species. We used records from the CITES Trade Database to conduct the analysis of the legal wildlife trade in the Czech Republic in the period 2008-2018. A total amount of 12,615 shipment records were extracted from CITES Trade Database. Amongst most imported taxons belong mammals (mostly genuses Ursus and Panthera) and reptiles (primarily genuses Varanus and Triocerus), while most exported taxons are birds (prevailing genuses Platycercus, Polytelis and Falco) and mammals (especially genus Lemur). While the export records showed an increasing trend, the imports were culminating around the average level of 642.3 records per year and lowest amount in the last year of the period. We emphasise smuggling of snowdrops and tigers and their products, which were reported to be seized, but with lack of records in legal trade.


2007 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Nijman ◽  
Chris R. Shepherd

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.


Oryx ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 209-214
Author(s):  
Tom Milliken

Although commercial international trade in rhinoceros parts, products and derivatives has been prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora since 1977, trade within national boundaries cannot be regulated under the Convention. As a result illegal trade to supply domestic markets persists and rhinoceros populations continue to decline. Hong Kong was the first government in Asia to address this problem. Over a period of 13 years Hong Kong authorities introduced regulations progressively restricting the trade until in 1989 all aspects of the country's rhino trade became subject to legal prohibitions. Hong Kong's experience offers a valuable model for other Asian countries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris R. Shepherd ◽  
Jitka Kufnerová ◽  
Tomáš Cajthaml ◽  
Jaroslava Frouzová ◽  
Lalita Gomez

AbstractThere is a large demand for bear parts in the Czech Republic, and this drives legal and illegal trade in various bear species sourced from outside the country. From 2010 to 2018, the Czech Republic reported legal imports of 495 bear parts, mostly as trophies from Canada and Russia. Illegal trade in bear parts and derivatives for medicine as well as trophies persists as evidenced by the number of seizures made by the Czech Environmental Inspectorate during this same period. From January 2005 to February 2020, 36 seizures involving bears, their parts and derivatives, were made totalling 346 items. Most cases involved trophies (skins, skulls, taxidermies) predominantly from Canada, Russia and the USA, followed by traditional medicines claiming to contain bear parts mostly from Vietnam and China. Three cases involved souvenirs or jewellery, and one case involved live bear cubs. The greatest number of seizures made originated from Vietnam, followed by Canada and Russia. As all countries involved in these incidents are Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), there is a mechanism in place to jointly tackle this illegal trade. International collaboration is essential if efforts to end the illegal international trade in bear parts and derivatives are to succeed.


Author(s):  
Tanya Wyatt ◽  
Jennifer Maher ◽  
Daniel Allen ◽  
Nancy Clarke ◽  
Deborah Rook

AbstractWildlife trade—both legal and illegal—is an activity that is currently the focus of global attention. Concerns over the loss of biodiversity, partly stemming from overexploitation, and the corona virus pandemic, likely originating from wildlife trade, are urgent matters. These concerns though centre on people. Only sometimes does the discussion focus on the wildlife traded and their welfare. In this article, we make the case as to why welfare is an important component of any discussion or policy about wildlife trade, not only for the interests of the wildlife, but also for the sake of humans. We detail the harm in the trade as well as the current welfare provisions, particularly in relation to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which guide global transport and trade. There are a number of ways that the current approach to wildlife welfare could be improved, and we propose ways forward in this regard.


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