Endangered Vipers, Iguanas Highlight Key Wildlife Talks

The Galapagos Islands Iguana is a unique species.

Renewed efforts to protect the world’s most exotic and endangered animals and plants from illegal trade, overexploitation, and extinction are set to begin at UN-partnered biodiversity talks in Uzbekistan at the end of the month.

Ethiopian mountain vipers, Galapagos iguanas, and Brazil’s Pernambuco tree—prized by violin bow-makers—are just three of more than 30 species that could be listed for special protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

“Because the trade in wild animals and plants crosses borders, regulating it requires international cooperation to safeguard species from overexploitation,” CITES said in a statement.

Currently, the Convention covers the trade of more than 40,000 species of wild animals and plants. States parties to CITES can propose additional species for protection, which are considered at meetings held every three years.

“The proposals to be discussed highlight how scientists continue to address conservation and sustainable use across species that are not only biologically unique, but also culturally, economically, and ecologically significant,” said Thea Carroll, CITES Secretariat Science Unit Chief, speaking in Geneva.

The final proposals slated for discussion in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, include perennially endangered wildlife such as elephants and rhinos, along with the Golden-bellied mangabey monkey, a recent candidate for special protection.

Other species under consideration include the giant Galli wasp—32 centimetres long—moths, frogs, sea cucumbers, abalone, and other commercially exploited aquatic species.

It has been 50 years since CITES entered into force, although it was originally conceived a decade earlier at a meeting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Convention is one of several international accords aimed at protecting global biodiversity, specifically regulating the international wildlife trade, which is estimated to be worth billions of dollars and includes hundreds of millions of plant and animal specimens.

Success Stories

CITES has been behind several conservation successes, including the South American vicuña, a small camel, and the Nile crocodile. Their survival was secured when CITES supported national efforts to turn their wool and skins into sustainably managed commodities that benefit local communities.

Overexploitation for international trade remains a major threat to wildlife, along with disease, pollution, habitat loss, and habitat fragmentation.

Funding Challenges

CITES’ vital role in biodiversity protection has not shielded it from a severe funding crisis, warned Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero.

“We're all struggling,” she told journalists in Geneva. “All UN entities face budgetary issues. Contributions from Member States are falling, and this is making it very difficult for us to operate.”

Ms. Higuero added, “We have not been receiving the expected contributions from parties assessed according to the UN scale, and there are arrears in payments. This is one of the issues we will be discussing.”