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On World Wildlife Day, UN chief calls for protection of most iconic species

Xinhua, March 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Marking World Wildlife Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for global efforts to save most iconic species, such as African and Asian elephants.

"For too long, the world has been witness to heartbreaking images of the mass slaughter of elephants for their tusks," said Ban in his message to mark the day. The 2016 theme is "The future of wildlife is in our hands," with African and Asian elephants being the main focus of global campaigns.

"According to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), the killing of African elephants and trafficking in their ivory remain alarmingly high. Asian elephants are also subject to growing levels of poaching," he said.

Many other species, such as cheetahs, pangolins, rhinos, sea turtles, sharks, tigers, whales and high-value timber, face a variety of different challenges, including from habitat change, over-exploitation or illicit trafficking, he added.

Ban also noted growing global efforts to protect wildlife, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, which include specific targets to end poaching.

Many powerful expressions of political determination to end these highly destructive crimes are now being translated into actions on the ground through collective efforts by countries around the world, he said.

However, he stressed that much more needs to be done by key actors on all continents and across sectors, in particular, "communities that live in close proximity with wildlife."

To combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, it is essential to address both the demand and supply of illegal wildlife products through agreed goals and targets and international instruments, such as CITES, he said.

Warning that "time is running out to end the poaching crisis," Ban called on "all citizens, businesses and governments to play their part in protecting the world's wild animals and plant."

World Wildlife Day was set by UN General Assembly in 2013 to celebrate and raise awareness of the world's wild fauna and flora. March 3 is the day that CITES was adopted in 1973. Enditem