Washington, D.C. — International wildlife charities Born Free USA and Born Free Foundation issued a stark warning to governments around the world—there can be no trade in some of our most critically endangered wildlife—ahead of the 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which takes place from September 24 – October 5 in Johannesburg, South Africa. [teaserbreak]
The warning comes at a time when decisions taken at CITES will prove critical for key species including lions, tigers, rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, pangolins, and various bird, reptile, and plant species, which are rapidly facing decline from an epidemic of poaching that has decimated the world’s savannahs and forests. International wildlife trafficking and trade is recognized to be worth billions of dollars and is a driving force behind wildlife poaching and population declines.
Adam M. Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Born Free USA, said: “This meeting is a clarion call to save the world’s iconic wildlife. Armed militia and sophisticated organized crime networks are operating in the field and slaughtering the world’s wildlife for profit. Traffickers and other profiteers are watching closely to see if trade in elephant ivory or rhino horn, for instance, is reopened. Any signal from CITES that there is profitability in this deadly trade will result in animal carcasses unceremoniously littering the African savannah and forests. CITES Parties must act with precaution and prohibit international wildlife trade.”
In the face of this growing wildlife crisis, an international delegation of scientists and experts from Born Free will join representatives from 182 countries and other wildlife NGOs to discuss 62 crucial proposals that will set the future for many embattled species across the world. These proposals include many supported by Born Free, such as transferring threatened species like the African lion, all elephant populations currently on Appendix II, and all eight species of pangolins onto Appendix I—thereby banning international commercial trade and giving each species the greatest protection possible.
Will Travers OBE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Born Free Foundation and President of the Species Survival Network, will be calling for the uplisting of lions to Appendix I, amongst other measures. He said: “The dramatic decline in numbers means that, in the next decade, many countries will have lost their entire population of lions and those that do survive the next 10 years will be lost soon after. These are some of the stark truths that are facing many species as a result of poaching and illegal trade. Elephants, rhinos, tigers, pangolins, and giraffes are rapidly heading in the same direction.”
Born Free has been represented at every Conference of the Parties (CoP) since 1989 and, this year, will be represented by:
Born Free USA:
• Adam M. Roberts: Chief Executive Officer, focusing on cheetahs, lions, and pangolins
• Alice Stroud: Africa Policy and Capacity Building Director, focusing on lions and sharks
• Marion Crepet: Africa Policy and Capacity Building Consultant, focusing on lions and pangolins
Born Free Foundation (UK):
• Will Travers OBE: President and Chief Executive Officer, and President of the Species Survival Network, focusing on elephants
• Mark Jones: Associate Director (Multilateral Environmental Agreements & UK Wildlife), focusing on rhinos, lions, trophy hunting, animals in captivity, live transportation, and welfare
• Gabriel Fava: Associate Director (Asia), focusing on pangolins, tigers, Asian elephants, and wildlife crime
• Ian Redmond OBE: Wildlife Consultant, focusing on gorillas
Born Free Foundation (Kenya):
• Tim Oloo: Country Manager, focusing on African elephants
Born Free Foundation (Sri Lanka):
• Manori Gunawardena: Country Representative, focusing on Asian elephants
All Born Free representatives will be available for media interviews and can be contacted through Born Free’s PR department. (See details below.) Born Free will also be providing key updates throughout CITES CoP17 via press releases; its websites www.bornfreeusa.org and www.bornfree.org.uk; on Twitter for Born Free USA here (using the hashtag #CITES) and Born Free Foundation here (using the hashtag #BFFCITES); on Facebook for Born Free USA here and Born Free Foundation here; and video blogs on YouTube.
CITES aims to ensure that international trade in a species of animal or plant does not threaten its survival. It is an international treaty between governments and is legally binding. Every three years, the Member Countries (or Parties) of CITES meet to review the impact of international trade on various species at the CoP, making changes to their protection and to how the Convention operates.
*Will Travers OBE will be hosting a Press Briefing organized by the Species Survival Network on Friday, September 23 between 10:30AM and 11:30AM at the Sandton Sun Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa to discuss the key issues and proposals on the agenda at CITES CoP17. Adam M. Roberts and Mark Jones, as well as other leading conservationists, will be speaking at the Press Briefing.*
Media contact: Rodi Rosensweig, publicrelations@bornfreeusa.org, (203) 270-8929
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic ‘pets,’ trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of ‘compassionate conservation’: the vision of the UK-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son, Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. We rescue animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and give them lifetime care.
Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles, and many more species in their natural habitats, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict. Our high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers, and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. For more information about Born Free, please visit www.bornfree.org.uk.