Wild dogs’ status a challenge for Cites
BURKINA Faso introduced a document at COP17 yesterday outlining the threat to the African wild dog and urging Cites to investigate the trade in the animals and its potential impact on the conservation status of the species. It wants Cites to make funds available for a study on the extent of the threat.
But many countries stated that the dogs were not under threat by illegal trade.
As 3 500 delegates and policy makers meet this week at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, many animals have been put forward to receive additional protection.
The wild dog ( is listed as endangered by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The African wild dogs’ migratory nature is threatening its livelihood and it’s posing a conundrum for Cites.
The secretariat noted that wild dog presented a challenge as it had not been included in the appendices of Cites, and had not been the subject of a listing proposal in the past.
“Subsequent IUCN Red List assessments have classified the species as endangered since 1990. The latest assessment in 2012 justifies this by a population, estimated at 6 600 adults in 39 subpopulations, that is continuing to decline as a result of ongoing habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities, and infectious disease.”
The secretariat further noted that the causes of African wild dogs’ decline were reasonably well understood. Trade or other forms of utilisation were not mentioned as potential or actual causes of decline or threats, adding that the possible role of Cites was the conservation of the species remained unclear.
Wild dogs’ habitat is generally arid savannah and they occur in sub-Saharan Africa and East Africa, as far north as Chad.
South Africa expressed concern about Burkina Faso’s application.
It said there was a need to be proactive and adopt precautionary measures but listing as Appendix III would address that and be a more appropriate approach.
Switzerland also weighed in, saying the threats to the wild dog were mainly human interaction and disease, and suggested that trade in animal parts was negligible. Appendix III listing gives protection to a species in at least one country which can then request help from other Cites parties to control trade.
The EU also believed the wild dog was not in danger from international trade.
A draft group was formed to amend the wording of the current proposal. –