Prominent international conference on wildlife protection kicks off in South Africa – CITES
Largest-ever World Wildlife Conference has kicked off in Johannesburg, South Africa with calls for changes to protection levels of 500 species of wild animals and plants.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting will look at the progress over the last three years in ending in illegal wildlife trade and prevent unsustainable trade
The conference will discuss changes to controlling trade of some of the endangered plants and animals in Africa, which include the African elephant, white rhinoceros, lion, pumas, pangolins, silky and thresher sharks, devil rays, nautilus, peregrine falcons, African grey parrot, crocodiles, flapshell turtles, the Titicaca water frog and psychedelic rock gecko, as well as the Grandidier’s baobab tree and many species of rosewood, and other animals and plants will all be decided upon.
There will be more focus on Elephants and Rhinos in issues such as domestic trade in elephant ivory, trade in huge ivory, management of ivory stockpiles, international trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn among other things.
Over 2,500 representatives, including from more than 180 governments, intergovernmental organizations, indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, philanthropists and businesses are expected to attend the meeting.
CITES regulates the trade of over 35,000 species of wild animals and plants. The convention monitors, lists and regulates legal and sustainable wildlife trade by combating illegal trade in wildlife. The CITES agreements are legally binding to all its members, the members include countries and organizations
#CITES #CoP17 official opening with the beating of African drums in Sandton pic.twitter.com/Qij5Joo1Xk
— Philly Mapulane (@PhillyMapulane) September 24, 2016
CITES #CoP17 is about to kick off this morning in Johannesburg – largest @CITES meeting ever – follow it via webcast https://t.co/g3lZer3OnS pic.twitter.com/GxMrnGVCOO
— John E. Scanlon AO (@JohnEScanlon) September 24, 2016
