With their jewel-like colours, Colombia’s poison frogs are coveted by collectors. Does naming their species help protect them or make them a target for trophy hunters?
Most lion bones in South Africa come from captive-bred lions.
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The fascination and admiration of the natural environment may draw people closer to it, but it’s crucial to remain responsible about any desire to own a piece.
Ladybugs stop pests from eating our food and destroying crops.
Flickr/Inhabitat
Ivory was a major talking point at the CITES CoP17 conference.Many feel the ban on trade doesn’t work while others believe the ban is the only way to save the iconic species.
The Parties to CITES (CoP17), rejected a proposal from nine African nations to upgrade the status of lions.
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A stronger ban on lion trade by CITES would have helped to lessen some of the threats lions face but it would have not have protected the animals from sport hunting.
Ross Harvey, South African Institute of International Affairs
In the absence of trading ivory, other solutions have to be found to fund conservation and support communities living on the front line of the battle against poaching.
Attempts at regulating the market show any ivory trade represents a threat to the survival of African elephants.
REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic
Historical evidence shows African elephants are endangered by the ivory trade, despite any attempt at regulating the market. A total ban is the only hope for the world’s largest living land animal.
Markets and militarisation as responses to wildlife threats are dangerous because they often fail.
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The ivory trade is a very contentious issue and will be debated at CITES. It will revolve around maintaining or lifting the ban on trade. But the human element is likely to be ignored.
White rhinos are threatened by poaching.
Jason Gilchrist
Ross Harvey, South African Institute of International Affairs
The focus of CITES is not solely on the protection of species. It also promotes controlled trade that is not detrimental to the sustainability of wild species.