Nature suffering 'dangerous decline' experts warn

Record ID: 1427516

  • Title: Nature suffering 'dangerous decline' experts warn
  • Date: 17th August 2019
  • Summary: LAIKIPIA, KENYA (FILE - APRIL 2016) (REUTERS) ELEPHANTS NAIROBI, KENYA (FILE - APRIL 27, 2011) (REUTERS) GIRAFFES / NAIROBI CITY IN BACKGROUND GIRAFFE DRINKING WATER NORTHWEST PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA (FILE - SEPTEMBER 20, 2016) (REUTERS) RHINO WALKING GROUP OF RHINOS
  • Embargoed: 31st August 2019 12:56
  • Keywords: The Convention on Trade and endangered species animal protection wildlife protection Geneva Switzerland Endangered animals
  • Location: VARIOUS
  • City: VARIOUS
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: Environment,Nature/Wildlife
  • Reuters ID: LVA001ASLVTJB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Experts attending the U.N. wildlife watchdog opening session on Saturday (August 17) warned that "business as usual" was no longer an option, as an acceleration in wildlife extinction was pushing nature into an unprecedented and "dangerous decline".
    The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which regulates the buying and selling of species at risk of extinction around the world, opened its main Conference of the Parties (COP) on Saturday.
    During the ten-day long meeting, delegates from 183 states, which are signatories of CITES, will consider 56 proposals meant at modifying the level of protection of animals such as elephants, giraffes, rhino, sharks, rays, pangolins or tortoise, but also minerals like rose wood.
    The Convention, which already covers nearly 36,000 species, regulate trade either by imposing outright bans or requiring permits so that rare animals and plants are not over-harvested.
    Opening the Conference, CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero warned that this COP could not be just business as usual, while the U.N. Environment Programme Executive-Director, Inger Andersen, urged for ambitious decisions and spirit.
    The fate of mako sharks, rhinos, and precious wood used to make musical instruments, are on the agenda. African elephants will also focus a great part of attention.
    (Production: Marina Depetris, Rosalind Church)
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