The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty, ratified by over 150 nations committed to work together so that endangered and threatened species of plants and animals will not be forced into extinction by uncontrolled exploitation.
 

The vital importance of conserving the environment and rapidly disappearing wild natural resources is now universally recognized as essential for sustaining the livelihood and quality of life of mankind. For example, a large percentage of the world's medicines are derived directly or indirectly from wild plants and animals. Each species lost can mean a dramatic cure unrealized. Each cure found can mean a new crop or a new industry for a developing country.

The future of the human populations of developing countries depends largely on their capacity to husband natural resources, either for internal consumption or external trade. Wildlife, as the common property of every generation, not only has intrinsic and aesthetic worth but can also provide significant tangible economic value if its use is properly managed and controlled. We must ensure that native peoples have positive motivation to preserve endangered species and their habitats. This can only be secured through international cooperation.

Since the early 1970's, the nations of the world have joined together in major international initiatives to develop mechanisms which will permit viable and sustainable conservation and use of wildlife resources and habitat. The treaties and international organizations created by these initiatives have the best potential to successfully conserve wild natural resources on a global scale, because they represent the will of the vast majority of people, expressed through their national Governments. A global effort is needed if we are to use our limited living resources wisely, for their own benefit and for the benefit of human populations.
 

CITES was created because of global concern about the threat to many plants and animals caused by illegal trade, which amounts to tens of billions of dollars and is second only to the illegal narcotics traffic. Many species have already been exploited to extinction, and others, like the rhinoceros and panda, have been reduced to perilously small populations by rapacious poachers and traders. Without an effective international wildlife trade Convention, illegal trade will destroy our wildlife heritage.

With the lead of the United States, several other countries and international organizations, CITES was negotiated at an international conference in Washington in 1973 and came into force in 1975. The more than 150 member nations include over 90 percent of the world's human population and virtually all important wildlife producing and consuming countries. The treaty countries have agreed together to control or prohibit trade in over 40,000 species of animals and plants, depending on the level of the threat to their survival. CITES' long-term objective is rational and sustainable conservation of the Earth's living resources for their own sake and human benefit. CITES is the keystone of U.S. international wildlife resources conservation policy, and is strongly supported by the legitimate wildlife trade as well as by a wide range of non-governmental organizations.

 

CITES uses a system of permits to regulate trade in wildlife. The treaty members issue permits allowing trade only if they are satisfied that it will not pose a threat to the survival of the species. Commercial trade in the most endangered species, including all apes and many monkeys, the great whales, elephants, tigers, many spotted cats, many birds of prey and parrots, all sea turtles and many other reptiles, orchids cacti and other plants, and other species is prohibited.

Commerce is permitted in other species which might become endangered if trade were not controlled and monitored. National authorities limit the number of permits issued for trade in these species, and records are maintained and analyzed. Trade in these plants and animals provide economic value, especially to developing countries and peoples, and enhances their interest in conserving them. The American alligator and the vicuna are notable examples of species which have benefited from CITES.
 

CITES Parties provide funding to administer the Convention through voluntary payments assessed on the basis of the United Nations scale of contributions. However, with the growth in membership and scope of the Treaty and the increasing economic value and importance of wildlife trade, supplementary financing is needed to ensure that CITES reaches full fruition. Funding has been raised from a wide variety of sources, including governments, international organizations, and the private sector. As the Convention has grown and as the problems which it addresses have become more complex, however, the need for funding has increased, without a corresponding growth in available funding resources. The traditional sources of CITES funding now supply less than half of what is needed.
 

Funding is continually needed for the following priority needs:

a) studies to obtain hard data on the status and means of conserving and managing species of wildlife impacted directly by international trade.

b) Monitoring legal wildlife trade and gathering intelligence on illicit trafficking.

c) technical assistance and training to member countries in implementing and enforcing CITES.

d) key tools, including secure Export/Import permits and an up-to-date Identification Manuals for customs and enforcement officers.

e) enabling developing countries (which have most at stake) to send delegations to meetings which decide the future of their own wildlife resources.

f) educating the public on the importance of conserving endangered species, worldwide.

 

How can You help CITES preserve our living world heritage?
 

Contain unbridled exploitation of wildlife. Be aware of the potential for illegal trade. Be sure that wild plants and animals, or products that you buy are not endangered and are legally traded. Keep an eye out for illegally imported wildlife and notify enforcement officials if you see any. Avoid taking from the wild, plants or animals which cannot sustain exploitation. Help educate others about CITES. Become a financial supporter of CITES through CTSF, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization helping intergovernmental agreements on conservation of living natural resources and habitats reach out for contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies, in an international effort with immediate and lasting results. Remember that your financial help and personal awareness can help save a species for future generations to see and appreciate.