WILD FAUNA MANAGEMENT & PRODUCTION SYSTEMS Their Description, Conservation Implications & Treatment by CITES Hank Jenkins Creative Conservation Solutions

Defining the Problem Û Diversity of management & production systems Û Present source codes are poorly defined and subject to varying interpretations. Û As presently defined, source codes are too inclusive and do not cater adequately for the variety of systems in use. Û Widespread misunderstanding of correct source code(s) to be used. Û Present definition of “bred in captivity” and interpretations of Articles VII, paragraphs 4 & 5 are contributing factors.

Proposed Solutions Û Recognize wider range of management and production systems. Û Re-define the term “bred in captivity” and re- interpret Article VII, paragraphs 4 and 5. Û Abolish dual source codes, based on purpose of export, for captive-bred Appendix-I animals. Û Establish new source codes for specific types of management/production regimes. Û Re-define certain existing source codes to be more exclusive.

Management Regimes Û Intensive Management Regimes (high degree of human intervention & husbandry under controlled conditions) Û Extensive Management Regimes (greater manipulation of and dependence on wild populations with less emphasis on captive management)

Intensive Management Regimes Û Closed-cycle Captive Breeding Û Contained Production Systems

Closed-cycle Captive Breeding (existing management system) Characteristics Û Independent of wild population(s) with no on-going acquisition of breeding adults. Û Parental stock acquired legally with no detriment to wild resource. Û Exchange of gametes under controlled conditions. Û Compliance with Res Conf (Rev) and production of second generation offspring (or demonstrated similar management). Û Contributes to conservation of the wild resource.

Contained Production Systems (new management system) Characteristics Û Continuing dependence on wild population(s) with the ability to replace/replenish breeding adults. Û Parental stock acquired legally with no detriment to wild population(s). Û Gametes exchanged under controlled conditions. Û Production of first generation offspring with no requirement to satisfy Res Conf (Rev). Under present arrangements, contained production systems are restricted in their application to Appendix-II & Appendix-III species

Extensive Management Regimes Û Ranching Û Direct Wild Harvests Û Captive Rearing Û Wildlife Farming Û Control Harvests

Ranching (existing management system) Characteristics Û On-going dependence on wild population(s). Û Regular harvest of component(s) of wild population(s) that exhibit high levels of natural mortality. Û Rearing, under controlled conditions, of harvested animals prior to export of specimens. Û Monitoring of wild population(s) to demonstrate conservation benefit (only relevant for Appendix-I species transferred to Appendix-II). Û Monitoring of wild population(s) to demonstrate non- detriment for Appendix-II species (Article IV).

Direct Wild Harvests (existing management system) Characteristics Û On-going dependence on wild population(s). Û Regular sustainable off-take of component(s) of wild population(s) for either: - export of live specimens, or - processing and export of parts and derivatives. Û No captive management except in the case of pre- export holding facilities of live animals. Û Monitoring of harvested population(s) to ensure sustainability of harvest regime(s).

Captive Rearing (new management system) Characteristics Û Modified wild harvest with on-going focus on acquisition of gravid or pregnant females. Û Export quota supplemented by juvenile specimens produced from gravid or pregnant females harvested from the wild. Û Post-partem females subsequently exported Û Captive management and technology required for incubating eggs and rearing neonates. Û Monitoring and other safeguards to ensure harvests of gravid or pregnant females are not excessive.

Wildlife Farming (new management system) Characteristics Û Modified form of wild harvest. Û Habitat managed to enhance and maximize natural recruitment for the specific purpose of harvesting the increased production. Û Generally confined geographically and applied to segments of the population occurring on privately- owned lands. Û Monitoring impact of management on wild population(s) not critical.

Control Harvests (new management system) Characteristics Û Management of species: - declared agricultural or social pests within area of natural distribution; - established outside area of natural distribution (alien species). Û Wild harvesting applied as a management tool for population reduction and control. Û Harvest levels not necessarily determined by Article IV considerations. Û Monitoring directed to ensuring that management objectives are being achieved.

Closed-cycle Captive Breeding (source code = C) Definition Û Exchange of gametes in a controlled environment, from adults that have been obtained from the wild with no detriment (in situ), or in the case of ex situ operations have been legally obtained. Regulatory Measures Û License required Û register of specimens on premises Û # breeding adults Û # eggs/neonates produced annually Û # rearing stock Û # specimens from other sources Û dates of births and/or acquisitions Û deaths and/or disposals (incl. Dates) Û breeding adults kept separately Û neonates kept separately Û rearing stock kept separately Û incubation facilities Û food supply Û inspections and stock audits Û export quota = production Û size and numerical restrictions

Contained Production Systems (source code = F) Definition Û Production of 1st generation offspring from the exchange of gametes under controlled conditions, that do not fulfil the present definition of “bred in captivity” in Resolution Conf (Rev) Note: This system, and source code could be abolished and subsumed into a newly-defined “bred in captivity” that does not require 2nd generation production or similar management. Note: This system, and source code could be abolished and subsumed into a newly-defined “bred in captivity” that does not require 2nd generation production or similar management. Regulatory Measures Û License required Û register of specimens on premises Û # eggs/neonates harvested Û # rearing stock Û # specimens from other sources Û dates of acquisitions Û deaths and/or disposals Û neonates kept separately Û rearing stock kept separately Û incubation facilities Û food supply Û inspections and stock audits Û export quota based on Art.IV Û size and numerical restrictions

Ranching (source code = R) Definition Û Species exhibiting high levels of natural mortality (eg eggs and/or neonates) representing an annual population surfeit able to be harvested without any adverse effect, for subsequent raising in a controlled environment for export. Regulatory Measures Û License required Û register of specimens on premises Û # eggs/neonates harvested Û # rearing stock Û # specimens from other sources Û dates of acquisitions Û deaths and/or disposals Û neonates kept separately Û rearing stock kept separately Û incubation facilities Û food supply Û inspections and stock audits Û export quota based on Art.IV Û size and numerical restrictions

Direct Wild Harvest (source code = W) Definition Û Management involving regular and programmed removal of individuals from wild population for either: live export, or subsequent processing (without intensive management) to supply a commodity (eg skins) Regulatory Measures Û License required Û register of specimens held on premises Û # specimens acquired from other sources Û dates of acquisitions Û deaths and/or disposals Û food supply (live animals only) Û inspections and stock audits Û export quota based on Art.IV

Captive Rearing (source code = Wc) Definition Û Juvenile specimens derived from captive females removed from wild as pregnant/gravid specimens that are subject to subsequent captive management for the purpose of producing offspring for export before themselves being exported Regulatory Measures Û License required Û register of specimens on premises Û # pregnant/gravid females Û # eggs/neonates harvested Û # rearing stock Û # specimens from other sources Û dates of acquisitions Û deaths and/or disposals Û neonates kept separately Û incubation facilities Û food supply Û inspections and stock audits Û dual export quotas (wild harvest based on Art.IV & neonate production) Û size and numerical (optional) restrictions

Wildlife Farming (source code = Wr) Definition Û Specimens obtained from a direct wild harvest where the population has been managed to enhance natural recruitment Regulatory Measures Û License required Û register of specimens held on premises Û # specimens acquired from other sources Û dates of acquisitions Û deaths and/or disposals Û food supply (live animals only) Û inspections and stock audits Û export quota based on Art.IV

Control Harvests (source code = Wx) Definition Û Specimens obtained from a direct wild harvest that represents control of a species defined under national legislation to be a pest or is exotic and is not a component of the natural biota of a country. Regulatory Measures Û License required Û register of specimens held on premises Û # specimens acquired from other sources Û dates of acquisitions Û deaths and/or disposals Û food supply (live animals only) Û inspections and stock audits

Recommendations Û Recognize new types of management and source codes. Û Amend Res Conf (Rev) to remove production of 2nd generation offspring from definition of “bred in captivity”. Û Amend Res Conf to re-interpret Article VII (4) & (5) to remove differential regulation of commercial and non- commercial exports of captive-bred Appendix-I animals. Û Abolish dual source codes for captive-bred Appendix-I animals based on purpose of export. Û Amend Res Conf to define “ranching” in a more explicit manner. Û Amend Res Conf 10.2 (Rev) to reflect new management systems and source codes.