Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species SHELBIE SEEBERG

CITES  Signed on March 3, 1973 by 80 countries in Washington DC  Enacted on July 1, 1975  Now signed by 175 countries  Amended twice  Bonn amendment, June  Gaborone amendment, April

What led to the law?  1960’s  Growing global and environmental awareness  Growing concerns on impacts of international trade on species Increased

Overview of CITES  Prohibits international trade of endangered species of wild Fauna and Flora  prohibits hunting, capturing, and selling of endangered wildlife and wildlife products such as: food, exotic leather, medicines  Goal = ensuring sustainability of trade

Overview of CITES  3 Appendixes  I = list of most endangered species, trade is prohibited (Tigers and Gorillas)  II = list of species that can become threatened, trade regulated (Hippopotamus and Corals)  III = Trade regulated within specific country to prevent over-exploitation

Impacts  900 species - cannot be commercially traded as live specimens or wildlife products because danger of extinction  Restricts trade  5,000 animal species  28,000 plant species  Reduced international trade for threatened animals  Elephants, Crocodiles, Cheetahs, Chimpanzees western prairie fringed orchid Sumatran elephant

Nile Crocodile  1960’s near extinction  CITES limited trade through various laws  By 1983 partially recovered  Conservation status : lower risk, least concern