18th Conference of parties of CITES: Global conservation's hits and misses

18th Conference of parties of CITES: Global conservation's hits and misses

Some excellent decisions taken to protect the Earth's diminishing flora and fauna; in some other cases, better luck next time perhaps

CITES CoP 2019: Conservationist Vivek Menon wins Clark Bavin Award

Menon, who heads conservation non-profit Wildlife Trust of India, was awarded the award for his efforts towards wildlife enforcement at the ongoing CITES meet in Geneva. Read the full story.

CITES CoP 2019: Resolution seeking closure of domestic ivory markets not adopted

A resolution by 30 African Elephant range countries calling for the European Union and Japan to close their domestic ivory markets was not adopted at the CITES meet in Geneva. Photo: Getty Images

30 African countries panned the European Union, Japan for not closing legal ivory markets. Full story here.

CITES CoP 2019: Giraffes accorded protection from trade for the first time

Three giraffes in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya. The giraffe was included in Appendix II of CITES on August 22. Photo: Getty Images

The giraffe has been placed in Appendix II of CITES, which places prohibitions on uncontrolled trade in a species. Read the full story.

CITES CoP 2019: Critically endangered saiga antelope not to get highest protection

A proposal to include the saiga antelope in Appendix I of CITES was not accepted on August 22. Photo: Getty Images

Instead of being placed in Appendix I of CITES, a voluntary moratorium by saiga range states not to export the antelope’s horn has now been formalised.

CITES CoP 2019: Proposals to resume sales of ivory stockpiles rejected

Proposals to resume trade in domestic ivory stockpiles were defeated on August 22. Photo: Getty Images

The last time sales of ivory stockpiles had been allowed in 2008; ivory smuggling had skyrocketed across Africa. Read the full story.

CITES CoP 2019: 18 endangered sharks and rays afforded protection

Two species of sharks, six species of giant guitarfish and 10 species of wedgefish were included in Appendix II of CITES at the ongoing CoP in Geneva. Photo: Getty Images

Mako sharks, giant guitarfish and wedgefish are among those which have now been included in Appendix II of CITES, enabling sustainable trade in them.

CITES CoP 2019: Eswatini’s request to trade in white rhino horn rejected

A proposal by Eswatini to lift restrictions on international commercial trade in rhino horn was rejected at CITES. Photo: Getty Images

The landlocked southern African country wanted to change the rules that currently forbid the international commercial trade in rhino horns. Read the full story.

CITES CoP 2019: Otters given highest protection from trade

The Asian smooth coated otter, like this one in Bardia National Park, Nepal and the Asian small clawed otter have been included in Appendix I of CITES on August 26. Photo: Getty Images

Asian small-clawed as well as smooth-coated otters have been included in Appendix I of CITES. Read the full story.

CITES CoP 2019: No more trade in African elephants

Delegates at the CITES meet in Geneva on August 27 voted to restrict trade in live elephants from southern Africa. Photo: Getty Images

Parties vote to restrict trade from Zimbabwe and Botswana. They can no longer be shipped to zoos and circuses worldwide. Read the full story.

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