Global Wildlife

Wildlife Trade and CITES Effectiveness

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates international wildlife trade but faces challenges of enforcement, loopholes, and legal trade masking illegal transactions.

Key Facts

CITES covers over 38,000 species of plants and animals in international trade
Legal wildlife trade is worth billions of dollars annually and can mask illegal trade
Countries must implement CITES through national legislation with variable effectiveness
Trophy hunting generates revenue claimed to support conservation but is controversial
Online wildlife trade has increasingly moved to digital platforms evading traditional monitoring

Welfare Considerations

CITES provides a framework for wildlife trade regulation but welfare of individual animals is not always adequately considered. Many legal trade transactions involve significant welfare costs even when they are sustainable. Stricter animal welfare standards within CITES are advocated by welfare organisations.

What You Can Do

Support Traffic and WWF CITES monitoring and enforcement advocacy
Never purchase wildlife products when unsure of legal status
Advocate for stronger animal welfare provisions within CITES frameworks