Scratching below the surface to expose tiger trade reality
Trade continues, some of the same people are involved and some new ones have popped up. The trade has not been “effectively deterred”, it’s just gone underground.
Trade continues, some of the same people are involved and some new ones have popped up. The trade has not been “effectively deterred”, it’s just gone underground.
A propaganda battle – or charm offensive, if you’re feeling expansive – is already under way in a bid to win over hearts and wallets if not minds to secure international approval for a legal trade in rhino horn, overturning a ban which has been in place for more than 30 years
Our Tiger Campaign head, Debbie Banks, reports back from the CITES CoP16 meeting in Bangkok that only 15 minutes were allotted to tigers which is extremely disappointing. However, the meeting did at least decide to review implementation and compliance of various Parties in respect of CITES reporting requirements.
Rhino populations are being hammered by poachers, pushing the species ever-closer to extinction to satisfy demand for rhino horn in Vietnam and elsewhere – yet despite 668 rhinos being slaughtered by poachers across South Africa in 2012, there are indications it is contemplating pushing for a legal trade in rhino horn
Negotiations over the text of a decision which calls for actions in countries that have tiger farms have had all the hallmarks of a complex tango routine, fraught with tension and passion.
Parties attending the 62nd meeting of Standing Committee to CITES were subjected to an extraordinary floor show during discussions on a document advocating a De Beers-style controlling body for an international trade in ivory – a Central Ivory Selling Organisation