U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

What is the Convention on Examples include gorillas, sea International Trade in Endangered turtles, most lady slipper orchids, Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and giant pandas. (CITES)? In the early 1960s, international  Appendix II includes species that, discussion began focusing on the rate although currently not threatened at which the world’s wild animals with extinction, may become so and plants were being threatened by without trade controls. It also unregulated international trade. includes species that resemble other listed species and need to be regulated in order to effectively CITES entered into force in 1975, The elephant-shaped CITES logo was and became the only global treaty first used at CoP3 in 1981. The original control the trade in those other to ensure that international trade in version, a simple black and white design, listed species. Most CITES species plants and animals does not threaten has since evolved to include species are listed in this appendix, including their survival in the wild. It provides protected by CITES. American ginseng, paddlefish, lions, a framework for cooperation and American alligators, mahogany, and collaboration among nations to prevent many corals. decline in wild populations of animals How are species protected? Cacti, iguanas, and parrots represent and plants. Currently 180 countries,  Appendix III includes species for including the United States, implement some of the approximately 35,000 which a range country has asked CITES. species protected by CITES. Species other Parties to help in controlling protected under CITES are listed in international trade. Examples Who is involved? one of three appendices. include map turtles, walrus and A Secretariat, located in Geneva, Cape stag beetles. Switzerland, administers the treaty.  Appendix I includes species Permanent committees (Standing, threatened with extinction and How does CITES monitor trade? Animals, and Plants Committees) provides the greatest level of The backbone of CITES is the permit provide technical and scientific support protection, including restrictions on system that facilitates international to member countries (called Parties). commercial trade. cooperation in conservation and trade Each Party designates Management monitoring. Permits are issued only if and Scientific Authorities to process a country’s Management and Scientific permits, make legal and scientific Authorities determine that trade is findings, and monitor trade. legal and does not threaten the species’ survival in the wild. The Conference of the Parties (CoP) meets approximately every three years The use of standardized permit forms to review CITES implementation and allows inspection officials at ports of assess the status of species in trade. export and import to quickly verify Through the adoption of resolutions that CITES specimens are properly and species proposals, the CoP documented. They also facilitate the develops practical solutions to collection of species-specific trade complex wildlife trade problems. data, which are used in the creation of annual reports. These data are used to Non-governmental organizations, determine trends in trade and ensure representing conservation, animal that trade in wildlife is sustainable. welfare, trade, zoological, botanical, and scientific interests, participate This trade monitoring has created a as non-voting observers at CoPs substantial body of information on and Animals, Plants, and Standing the management and use of CITES Committee meetings. species worldwide. tomosuke214 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Hyacinth Macaw, CITES Appendix I Southern White Rhinoceros, CITES Appendices I & II Karl Stromayer/USFWS

What has CITES achieved and where The Parties have adopted a 12-year  Educating others on the importance is it going? strategic vision to guide CITES of conserving the animals and plants Over the last several decades, CITES through 2020. The plan sets the that comprise the diverse life of this has helped ensure global conservation following goals: planet. of species. As online markets and other technological advances make it possible  Ensure compliance with and  Reporting violations of CITES and to sell and ship wildlife anywhere in the implementation and enforcement of other federal wildlife laws. world and as issues of wildlife use grow the Convention. ever more complex, CITES provides tools to effectively conserve the world’s  Secure the necessary financial diverse natural resources. resources and means for the operation and implementation of the Increased commitment by Parties to Convention. effectively implement the treaty has helped control global over-exploitation  Contribute to significantly reducing of wildlife and improved legislation at the rate of biodiversity loss and to the national level to enforce CITES. achieving relevant globally-agreed Increased regional communication goals and targets by ensuring that among Parties has also improved CITES and other multilateral

conservation of wildlife across political instruments and processes are Kai Yan & Joseph Wong CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 borders. coherent and mutually supportive. African spurred tortoise, CITES Appendix II What can I do to help? CITES, like most laws and treaties, needs the cooperation and support of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service the public. Everyone, from individuals International Affairs to businesses, has a role to play in 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 212 making the treaty effective by: Arlington, VA 22203 703/358-2104 or 800/358-2104  Becoming aware of what wildlife and e-mail: [email protected] wildlife products are protected, and http://www.fws.gov/international obtaining required permits. April 2014 John Guest CC BY-NC-SA 2.0  Understanding how unsustainable Autumn lady’s tresses orchid, wildlife trade impacts wild @USFWSInternatl CITES Appendix II populations. Like us on Facebook USFWS_International Affairs