Help for turtles and frogs
Wildlife summit to decide if they will be protected species
Panama City: A global wildlife summit here will decide whether to take measures to protect the translucent glass frog and 12 types of freshwater turtles in its final week.
Conservation experts and delegates from more than 180 nations began the week on Monday with a decision to maintain a ban on the trade of white rhinoceros horn, despite a request from Eswatini that was backed by Japan and several other African countries.
The tiny nation, formerly known as Swaziland, had argued the money from the sale of rhino horn would aid in conserving the threatened species.
Delegates also authorised the export of Brazil’s broad-snouted caiman and the saltwater crocodile from the Philippines for animals raised in captivity, but a ban on cross-border trade in Siamese crocodiles raised by Thai farmers was left intact.
The meeting in Panama City began on Nov 14 to discuss 52 proposals to modify protection levels set by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The fate of several unique amphibians will be up for debate before the meeting wraps up on Friday.
“Freshwater turtles are among the main groups that are trafficked in the countries, and there is high pressure for international trade,” said Yovana Murillo, who heads a program against wildlife trafficking in the Andes, Amazon and Orinoco region for the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Peru want to list two species of matamata turtles, which live in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, on CITES Appendix II, which requires the tracking and regulation of trade.
Doris Rodriguez of Peru’s forestry service said that the striking matamata turtles, with their beetle-like appearance, have become sought-after pets and “face many threats.”
These include habitat destruction, pollution, illegal trade, and being hunted for their meat and eggs.
Delegates will also debate regulating the trade of the nocturnal glass frog, found in several rainforests in Central and South America.
The amphibian is an increasingly popular pet.
Some are a lime green colour, while others have translucent bellies and chests.
“They are being collected for their beauty. They are being trafficked and some are in critical danger,” said Rodriguez.
CITES, in force since 1975, regulates trade in some 36,000 species of plants and animals and provides mechanisms to help crack down on illegal trade.
It sanctions countries that break the rules.