The fate of African wildlife hangs in balance as the 18th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) begins tomorrow (Saturday) in Geneva. Government representatives of most of the 183 member parties attending the 18th CoP will take key decisions that might affect…
Aerial elephant census in Tsavo
A ten-day aerial elephant census was concluded over the weekend in the Tsavo Conservation Area. Though the full tally of elephants is yet to be announced, previous results of the exercise which is conducted every three years indicated elephant populations as 11,076 in 2014; 12,573 in 2011 and 11,733 in 2008. The final results will…
CITES’ COP17 gives African elephants poachers a lifeline
By Duncan Khosa Amid dramatic scenes, Divisions between African Parties failed elephant populations today, denying them the CITES Appendix I listing which would offer them the greatest possible protection from poaching and illegal trade. As a result, the proposal – supported by Botswana (a country that at previous CoPs opposed any attempt that would restrict…
Wildlife Cybercrime Centre Stage at CITES
Online wildlife crime poses a serious threat to endangered animals including elephants, rhinoceros, reptiles and birds, experts gathered at the CoP17 meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) said According to Tania McCrea-Steele, IFAW’s Global Wildlife Cybercrime Project Lead, at a time when counts show historic lows of African elephants, and…