Wildlife Trafficking

By: WaiYan Chan, Lyzeil Escalo, Patricia Nicole Tan

Abstract 

While many factors contribute to the loss of biodiversity, such as air and water pollution, deforestation, habitat destruction, and climate change, the issue is mainly caused by the excessive consumption of endangered species. Countries must collaborate to create policies that limit wildlife trafficking to maintain biodiversity (UN General Assembly, 2015). Many developing nations rely on ecotourism and the legitimate trade of animal products to support their economy, and completely banning the trade would greatly impact their economy and living quality (Rosen & Smith, 2010). Hence, it is important to establish a balance between the conservation of wildlife and the economy.

Demand for Animal-Derived Materials 

Illegal wildlife trafficking is primarily driven by the world's fast-growing demand for a wide range of items. To understand the wildlife market, it is important to know the demand for animal-derived materials such as fur and leather. Levels of consumption and demand change over time, while most of the demands involve luxury goods, revealing that consumption is often unessential. However, the consumption of animal derivatives is perfectly acceptable as long as the practice is environmentally responsible and specifically does not harm endangered species.

Wildlife animals in traditional medicine

The idea of acquiring attributes from the source through consumption is popular. For example, many Eastern Asians believe that eating tiger bone can support the consumer’s cardiorespiratory fitness.

Hence, wild animals and plants are deeply ingrained in traditional medicine. Many customers worldwide believe that products derived from wild materials are superior and more efficient than alternatives derived from captive breeding or plantations. The same animal and plant species that are used to make medicine and supplements are also frequently eaten for food due to their alleged healing properties.

Approximately 80% of the world's population receives primary healthcare through traditional medicines, many of which contain ingredients sourced from wild animal or plant species. According to estimates, plant material serves as the basis for 95% of traditional medicine. The bile of pythons is used to treat conditions like whooping cough, rheumatic pain, high fever, infantile convulsion, hemiplegia, hemorrhoids, gum bleeding, and skin infections and to this day practiced mostly in southeast Asia (Syrahwa Publication, 2017). Other animals and animal parts used for medicinal purposes include medicinal leeches, which are used to increase blood circulation and break up blood clots. Due to the rising awareness about the issue, other alternatives are developed. Alternative medicine includes the use of herbal medication, acupuncture, homeopathy, and oriental practices.

Wildlife animals in luxury goods and clothing

Animal skin, fur, feathers, and fibers have been used in luxurious brands, and clothes for decades. However, it is a controversial choice to consume such products, particularly because of the treatment and capture of the animals, and the exploitation of endangered species to produce fur apparel.

Cheap materials and designs can quickly fall out of favor, while items made with leather and animal fur are always valuable. Due to the fluctuating nature of the fashion industry, many luxury fashion manufacturers rely on animal-derived materials to keep their products classic and elegant. Generally, wild-sourcing from rural area hunters is more likely to involve non-environmental responsible practices than direct sources from the manufacturers.

International Agreements on Wildlife Trafficking 

CITIES

CITES has 183 member countries, all dedicated to ensuring that the international trade of wild animals and plants doesn’t threaten their survival. This agreement involves governments, willing scientists, and individuals who voluntarily participate in wildlife protection. Species under CITES are categorized into three appendices: I, II, and III. 

Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction due to international trade. Trade in these species is strictly regulated to prevent further endangerment, with exceptions only for scientific or educational purposes. It includes 1145 species worldwide, with many of them native to Mexico (CITES, 2023). 

Appendix II covers species not currently threatened with extinction but with risk of extinction if its trade is not regulated. It covers the most species among the three appendices. 

Appendix III involves species subject to domestic regulation, requiring cooperation to control trade, with less restrictive rules than the other two appendices (CITES, 2023). 

CITES was drafted in 1963 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The final text in English, French, and Spanish translations was agreed upon and signed by representatives from 80 countries on March 3, 1973, and CITES came into force on July 1, 1975. Today, CITES operates globally, as each country enforces these regulations within its borders and adapts them to the local context. It plays a crucial role in combating wildlife trafficking, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable trade. Without CITES, many species might already be extinct.

How does CITES work? 

Member countries (referred to as "parties") submit proposals to amend species listings, and decisions are made during meetings. Legal trades require certificates and depend on the appendix a species belongs to, and enforcement agencies monitor compliance. Trading without valid permits can result in penalties, varying by country. In simple terms, an individual must comply with CITES regulations to import or export a species that is on the list.

Effectiveness of CITES: Successes and Challenges

Despite the notable success of CITES, there is many challenges arise, such as the failure to regulate the ivory trade in the 90s. Many elephants, particularly in Africa, have been killed for their tusks, which are made into carvings and jewelry in regions like China, Hong Kong, and the United States. In 1989, CITES banned the ivory trade by placing it in Appendix I. When this ban took effect in 1990, elephant populations initially stabilized as domestic markets in various countries closed. However, when CITES allowed African countries such as Botswana and Zimbabwe to make a one-time sale of 50 tons of ivory to Japan in 1997 led to the slaughter of 1,000 elephants. The case reveals the risk associated with legal trades (CITES, 2021). Since then, these countries have not been permitted to trade ivory legally due to the fragile state of elephant populations.

Another example involves the African gray and Timneh gray parrots. Nowadays, special paperwork is required for sellers, and buyers need certifications. Since these species were listed in Appendix I, an Article 10 certificate is necessary for trading. There are two types of certificates: transaction-specific and specimen-specific. The transaction-specific certificate is valid for one sale that proves the bird is legally acquired. On the other hand, the specimen-specific certificate allows the owner to legally keep the bird for the bird's lifetime (CITES, 2021). Without these certifications, selling or owning these species is considered a criminal offense in CITES member countries. 

The 2022 CITES Illegal Trade Database also reveals that the most common cause of animal extinction is trade without the necessary CITES permits. The cost of obtaining a permit is high, costing USD 100 annually to keep an African gray (Daghar, 2022). However, the risk of being caught for illegally keeping the bird is low, leading to the illegal trade or ownership of endangered species. The research suggests that regulations and guidelines should be more straightforward, as buyers and owners find the special paperwork complicated, inaccessible, and expensive. 

After all, CITES is essential in fighting against wildlife trafficking and the conservation of global biodiversity. By regulating or banning the trade of endangered species, CITES  stabilizes the populations of numerous plants and animals. However, the effectiveness of this agreement relies heavily on the cooperation and enforcement of its member countries. 

Conclusion

In the mid-20th century, governments began to realize that the trade of certain wild animals and plants caused a drastic decline in their populations. The unsustainable use of these species for food, fuel, medicine, and other purposes was pushing them toward extinction. Individual countries struggled to address the impacts of international trade effectively on their own. CITES was established in response to the high demand and unsustainable practices of acquiring animal-derived materials. It aims to regulate or ban international trade in species under threat. This agreement is crucial in safeguarding the planet’s biodiversity and offers wide-ranging protection for endangered species. As global citizens, we must support these efforts by raising awareness, and ensuring our actions do not contribute to the exploitation of endangered species. Together, we can help safeguard our planet’s precious biodiversity for future generations.

References 

CITES. (n.d.).  Annual illegal trade report https://cites.org/eng/resources/reports/Annual_Illegal_trade_report

CITES. (2021). CITES puts ivory sales on hold  https://cites.org/eng/news/pr/2006/061005_ivory.shtml

CITES. (2021). Ivory sales get the go-ahead https://cites.org/eng/news/pr/2007/070602_ivory.shtml

CITES. (2020). The CITES species | CITES. Cites.org. https://cites.org/eng/disc/species.php

Davies, E. (2023). African grey and Timneh grey parrots - CITES Appendix 1 - ExoticDirect. https://exoticdirect.co.uk/news/african-grey-and-timneh-grey-parrots-cites-appendix-1/

Eia. (2019). It’s 30 Years Since the CITES Global Ban On Ivory Trade – and the Fight To Preserve It Goes On - EIA. https://eia-international.org/news/its-30-years-since-the-cites-global-ban-on-ivory-trade-and-the-fight-to-preserve-it-goes-on/

Government of U.K. (2022). Endangered species: apply for a commercial use certificate. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/endangered-species-application-for-commercial-use

Government of U.K. (2024). Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cites-imports-and-exports?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1fN-X8_gop2oON3nKcqCxg8OVoUCNi0GSdYXs0VazXU2PFaWlWMGVfPlU_aem_Ul2jBEFFt6uukgCHaFaIuw

Institute of Economic Affairs. (2017). Does CITES work? Four case Studies — Institute of Economic Affairs. https://iea.org.uk/publications/research/does-cites-work-four-case-studies

Institute for Security Studies Africa (n.d.). Trafficking could mean the last flight for African greys. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/trafficking-could-mean-the-last-flight-for-african-greys

KKIENERM. (n.d.). Wildlife, Forest & Fisheries Crime Module 1 Key Issues: Demand and Consumption https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/wildlife-crime/module-1/key-issues/demand-and-consumption.html

KKIENERM. (n.d.). Wildlife, Forest & Fisheries Crime Module 1 Key Issues: Implications of Wildlife Trafficking. https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/wildlife-crime/module-1/key-issues/implications-of-wildlife-trafficking.html#:~:text=It%20can%20result%20in%20severe

Mukherjee, S., Gomes, A., Chandra Dasgupta, S., Subir, C., Dasgupta, S., & Mukherjee. (2017). Zoo Therapeutic uses of Snake Body Parts in Folk & Traditional Medicine. Journal of Zoological Research, 1, 1. https://sryahwapublications.com/article/download/2637-5575.0101001

Psittacus. (n.d.). Do your African Grey parrots have CITES? Psittacus Catalonia SL. https://www.psittacus.com/en/faqs/do-your-african-grey-parrots-have-cites-what-documentation-do-you-need-to-have-and-keep

Rosen, G. E., & Smith, K. F. (2010). Summarizing the Evidence on the International Trade in Illegal Wildlife. EcoHealth, 7(1), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-010-0317-y

Scobey R. (2022, November 4). Pioneering CITES World Wildlife Trade Report released. TRAFFIC https://www.traffic.org/news/cites-world-wildlife-trade-report-released/

Stone, K. (2023, January 5). Ivory trade and CITES. Humane Society International. https://www.hsi.org/news-resources/african_ivory_trade/

Tate, C. (2020, February 3). Paperwork for African grey parrots. The Online Bird Magazine for Pet Owners, Breeders and Bird Lovers. https://everythingbird.co.uk/paperwork-for-african-grey-parrots/

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (n.d.). Wildlife, Forest & Fisheries Crime Module 2 Key issues: CITES and the International Trade in Endangered Species. https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/wildlife-crime/module-2/key-issues/cites-and-the-international-trade-in-endangered-species.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3IIC1WYqPcYub2rSkhGOx8L0KAHNn5DUTWtSXbvEomztOM-w68T6kS0ic_aem_vDrtVzICzN_CKaRoUGZv8g

World Wildlife Report. (n.d.). United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/wildlife.html