Roundup: High expectations from participants in World Wildlife Conference

The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) kicked off in Johannesburg on Saturday with high expectations from participants.

The conference will consider different or even conflicting proposals on ways to better preserve wildlife.

Some participants told Xinhua that they expect their proposals to be considered and passed.

Professor Lee White, Director at Gabonese National Parks Service, said his delegation will submit a proposal for ivory trade and push African pangolin and grey parrots to Appendix 1 of CITES-listed most endangered animals.

The CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species except when the purpose of the import is not commercial, for instance for scientific research.

Prof. White said what has been done is not enough to stop illegal poaching and illegal trade.

Countries, where illegal trade is rampant, should do more to combat illegal trade, he said.

Donald Lehr from the 29-member African Elephant Coalition (AEC) said they are advocating for a permanent ban on international trade in elephant ivory. The organization represents 70 percent of African elephant range states.

Lehr said the organization will also propose for the closure of domestic ivory markets around the world.

There should be an end to the debate on a mechanism to legalize ivory trade in the future, he said.

"We want to improve management of ivory stockpiles and endorse their destruction, and restrict trade in live, wild-caught elephants," Lehr said.

South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will put forward a joint proposal for legalizing ivory trade.

Michele Pickover, Director at the Environmental Management Systems Foundation, said a more effective international treaty is needed to truly protect wild animals.

She said they would like to see all elephants, lions and African parrots moved onto Appendix 1 and no split-listings.

Pickover said a proposal to legalese trade in ivory and rhino horns should be defeated.

She said, "There will be a lot of political 'horse-trading' but ultimately the animals being discussed will be on the losing end. Obviously because of the mandate of CITES itself, but also because the illegal trade is massive and is operating under the cover of the legal trade, enforcement is generally wholly inefficient and corruption is rife. So my expectations are that enough will be done to protect our planet's wild animals."

Pickover called on governments to change their policies and create a more caring society globally.

She also criticized CITES for being a flawed process which facilitates the trade in wild animal body parts and therefore provides a mechanism for these animals to be heavily exploited and be killed.

Pickover said, "The illegal trade is massive because there is demand. Demand has to be effectively tackled. Education has to take place on a large scale. Diplomats are sometimes involved (in illegal trade) and they are protected. This is a problem. There needs to be harsher sentences."

The conference will also negotiate on administrative and financial matters. The EU is participating for the first time as a full Party at the CITES meeting, representing all 28 EU member states in one voting bloc.

Africa is home to a rich diversity of wild animals and plants, including some of the world's most admired species. However, the loss of habitat and poaching driven by illicit trafficking, with the latter being the most immediate threat for some species, has decimated both charismatic species, like elephant and rhino, and lesser known ones, such as pangolins, in recent years.

The conference, which will last until October 5, is bringing the world's governments and wider community of interest together to tackle these issues, not only in Africa but on a global scale in its largest ever gathering. Endit