Freshwater turtles are also traded regularly, so the parties voted to protect 52 species including the matamatas sp. Chelus, prized for their knobby shells and triangular shaped heads. [photo credit: WCS] Songbirds are popular especially in Asia for song contests. Receiving legal protection CITIES are two songbirds, strawheaded bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus) under Appendix I and white-rumped shama (Copsychus malabaricus) on Appendix II. Appendix I ban nearly all trade in a species at high risk of extinction. According to the IUCN specialist group, forty-three songbird species are in urgent need of protection from trade.
Trees were not forgotten at the meeting of the parties. One hundred forty threatened tropical species were added to Appendix II. Protection for paduak, pod mahogany and African mahogany group will go in effect in ninety day, but two groups of Latin American species--cumaru and trumpet trees--will not take place for two years. Conservationists are worried that these over-exploited trees will be subjected to more explotiation before the trade restrictions take effect. One prominent specie that did not make the protected list, is hippopotamus. Trade in hippo teeth as alternative to elephant tusk is taking a toll on the river dwelling animals. A two thirds majority is needed to list a species, but the hippo vote was tied at 56. Despite setbacks and disappointments, the conference is considered a success for conservation given the number of species receiving protection under the treaty. More is needed to stop the international trade in animal parts--especially regulatory enforcement. CITIES is only as successful as the efforts of member nations to enforce its provisions and prevent biodiversity collapse.
Trees were not forgotten at the meeting of the parties. One hundred forty threatened tropical species were added to Appendix II. Protection for paduak, pod mahogany and African mahogany group will go in effect in ninety day, but two groups of Latin American species--cumaru and trumpet trees--will not take place for two years. Conservationists are worried that these over-exploited trees will be subjected to more explotiation before the trade restrictions take effect. One prominent specie that did not make the protected list, is hippopotamus. Trade in hippo teeth as alternative to elephant tusk is taking a toll on the river dwelling animals. A two thirds majority is needed to list a species, but the hippo vote was tied at 56. Despite setbacks and disappointments, the conference is considered a success for conservation given the number of species receiving protection under the treaty. More is needed to stop the international trade in animal parts--especially regulatory enforcement. CITIES is only as successful as the efforts of member nations to enforce its provisions and prevent biodiversity collapse.