Johannesburg - The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) has passed some significant decisions in halting the illegal trade in endangered species.
However, the organisation also has an important part to play in generating discussion between range states.
The 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP17) has during its first week highlighted conservation triumphs for animals it has long protected.
Following CoP16, a comprehensive report was called for to review the status and document measures taken to date. Cheetahs were listed as Appendix I, the highest protection, by Cites in 1975.
The report showed that the Acinonyx jubatus species were being trafficked in large numbers from Africa to Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.
Patricia Tricorache of the Cheetah Conservation Fund said there were grave demand and supply reduction challenges. Statistics showed that 288 cheetahs had been observed in non-range states, mainly Arab countries, as pets.
Since then, several demand countries have acknowledged the issue and are taking steps to educate the public and prosecute offenders.
Somalia and the UAE are also very close to a complete ban on cheetah trade. Working with conservation organisations such as Ifaw and WWF, they have started campaigns such as “Beautiful in the Wild”.
The feedback at CoP17 received full support, and it was agreed to adopt all the amendments which offer additional trade measures, improved reporting and data.
More good news was celebrated when CoP17 accepted a proposal from South Africa that the Cape mountain zebra ( Equus zebra zebra) be down-listed conditionally from Appendix I to Appendix II. It is the smallest of the zebra species, with a mass of 230kg-260kg, and occurs in mountainous regions of the Western and Eastern Cape.
“The recovery of species like the Cape mountain zebra shows that Cites can work and that populations can bounce back thanks to trade regulations and conservation efforts. If the world takes decisive action in Joburg, we look forward to more success stories in the future,” said Theressa Frantz, head of environmental programmes with WWF South Africa.
Working groups set up under various proposals and implementation matters have till Sunday to meet and thrash out satisfactory outcomes.
@SamHartsie