UN Environmental Program
Endangered species and the Hunting of them
Poaching embodies, in 2015, a trade amounting 14.5 billion dollars, holding
henceforth the fourth rank of the most lucrative activities, costing life of thousands animals each
year. The latest example of this tragedy took place a few months ago, when the Mozambique’s
police intercepted 340 elephants tusks and 65 horns which belonged to rhinoceros. According to
the Police spokesperson, this impressive interception is linked to the slaughter of 235 animals.
This alarming observation is regularly denounced all around the world by numerous Non Governmental Organizations and more and more the Public opinion. This is even more
regrettable, knowing that a Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species of Wild
fauna and flora (below-mentioned CITES) has been adopted in order to eradicate poaching.
Adopted on March, 3rd of 1973, and afterwards coming into effect, on July 1975, the CITES
takes an inventory of 34 thousand species including both flora and fauna species. It proceeds by
ranking the species in three categories and affording different levels or types of protection from
over-exploitation.
The first appendix lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed
animals and plants. Trade is prohibited in specimens of these species, except when the
purpose of the import is not commercial, such as the research. The second appendix gathers
species that are not currently threatened by extinction but that may become so unless trade is
closely controlled. Finally, the third appendix, lists species included, at the request of a party,
that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other countries to
prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation. However, despite the ratification of the CITES,
species such as elephants, tigers, rhinoceros are under more pressure than ever, particularly
from the Chinese demand. This illegal and outrageous trafficking resurgence has resulted in a
set of complications in carrying out its purpose.
First of all, CITES is an international convention, although it desires to become
universal, other countries do not have the obligation to sign and ratify it. While the CITES
has received the support of most of the world, several nations that were particularly affected
by its trade restrictions refused to ratify the treaty. Moreover, nations that ratified CITES also
have the option of seeking a reservation to the Convention when the joined it. As a case in
point, Iceland, Norway and Japan have formulated reservations concerning whales, dolphins,
orcas.
Secondly, a link merits to be highlighted between economy and the shaken
effectiveness of the CITES. Actually, some animals or products derived from animals
constitute a financial windfall for the exportation countries. In 1999, the CITES was
bowlderized in a meaningful way. During an auction, Botswana and Namibia were
authorized to sell 49 tons of ivory, supplying the trade. But the trade is not only stimulated by
the exporting countries, it is also boosted by the exponential demand of the importing
countries. Thirdly, the lack of control is a substantial stumbling rock. More specifically, the
Weakness of the sanctions is eloquent. As it often happens, the sanction for the infringement is
materialized by the confiscation. But the fines amount is ridiculously low and do not permit a
real deterrence. Critics esteem that so long as CITES does not establish severe sanctions, the
trade will persevere.
Questions to consider :
- How can we durably eradicate poaching ?
- Does the control of trade alone is a sufficient strategy ?
- Whithout consumption there would be no poaching, how can we move the
mentalities and change the habits of the importing countries ?
For more informations :
- https://www.cites.org/eng/disc/how.php
- http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/08/140818-elephants-africapoachingcites-census/
- http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2013/03/endangered-species-trade