CITES CoP17. Johannesburg – Progess Report
CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
17th Conference of the Parties. Johannesburg – South Africa
September 24 to October 5, 2016
- October 3, 2016
The proposal of Swaziland on a limited and regulated trade of the white rhino’s horn was rejected.
Bad news. The listing in Appendix I of all populations of African elephants was rejected. The European Union voted against. France was favorable but unfortunately in minority. Brazil also voted against. Botswana withdrew from the Southern African countries coalition (Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique) by voting in favour of the proposition.
Sea tide turns green except the Banggaï who remains red
Press release n°5
CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
17th Conference of the Parties. Johannesburg – South Africa
September 24 to October 5, 2016
Sharks
Sharks fall victim of targeted and accidental catches from the fishing industry. The fins are subjected to intense international trade and aimed at the Asian market. Once the fin cut off, the carcass is the most often thrown back to sea; it is rare that the meat be used.
The silky shark was listed in Appendix II of CITES with 111 votes in favour, 30 votes against, 5 abstentions. Their name comes from their soft skin. Found in the tropical ocean and coastal waters, populations in the Atlantic have dropped by 90% since the 1950s.
Good news from Libya
Customs officers have just seized a total of 1,700 Kleinmann’s tortoises (Testudo kleinmanni) in a minibus and a heavy truck. These were the first 2 seizures observed in Libya since the July 2013 publication of “On the trail” n°1, the bulletin of Robin des Bois dedicated to poaching and smuggling endangered animal species.
They prove that despite the political and social chaos, wildlife is not completely left to the devices of traffickers and militia. The 2 vehicles were heading to Egypt. The first reports show that the 200 tortoises in the minibus were collected in the desert to the south of Tripoli. The 1,500 tortoises found in 18 bags inside the truck were collected in an area south of Benghazi.
“On the Trail” n°6
Wildlife is bubbling
“On the Trail” n°6, 134 pages of beauty and cruelty
Information and Analysis bulletin on animal poaching and smuggling.
Open parcels and find poisonous scorpions, search a shop in Malaysia and stumble on a vial of elephant sperm, find out about the latest trafficker’s tricks, meet the rhino mafia, hunt the MGM lion and discover the Tibetan Wild Ass, or Kiang.
Introduction: Several recent studies suggest that violence on animals and abuse of animal’s weakness show predisposition to violence against humans and that witnessing domestic violence or being submitted to parental harassment leads to a predisposition to violence against animals. Violence is a viral and vicious circle …
