Giraffes added to list of endangered animals
Giraffes have been given protection against unregulated trade for the first time. The animals, hunted for their hides, bones and meat, have been added to a list of endangered species at a summit. Conservationists said the ruling, which was opposed by southern African countries, “throws a vital lifeline to this majestic species”. It is thought giraffe numbers have decreased by about 40 per cent in 30 years and only 68,000 of the animals remain in the wild.
GIRAFFES have been given protection against unregulated trade for the first time as their numbers decline.
The animals, which are hunted for their hides, bones and meat, have been added to a list of endangered species at a summit in international trade.
Conservationists said yesterday’s ruling, which was opposed by southern African countries, “throws a vital lifeline to this majestic species”.
It is thought giraffe numbers have decreased by about 40 per cent in the past 30 years and only 68,000 mature individuals remain in the wild.
Nine species of the animals are now listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) making it much more difficult to trade in their body parts.
A total of 106 parties to the Unbacked treaty voted in favour of the motion put before delegates in Geneva with 21 voting against and seven abstaining.
Adam Peyman, of Humane Society International, said: “Securing protection for the giraffe throws a vital lifeline to this majestic species, which has been going quietly extinct for years.
“This listing could not come soon enough. CITES listing will ensure that giraffe parts in international trade were legally acquired and not detrimental to the survival of the species.”
Giraffes were facing “silent extinction”, a spokesman for the Natural Resources Defense Council, a US conservation group, said. “Thanks to today’s decision, the international trade in giraffe parts – which includes rugs and bone carvings – will be tracked in a manner that allows us to focus on problem trends in destructive trade, and fight for additional protections.”
Zac Goldsmith, a Defra minister, welcomed the ruling, tweeting: “Well done to the Defra team for making the case so forcefully.” A cross-party coalition of MPS wrote to Michael Gove when he was environment secretary, urging him to protect giraffes amid “alarming reports” of a rise in hunting trophies.
The eight southern African nations that opposed the motion argued that giraffe numbers were increasing in their countries because trophy hunting and selling parts provided incentives and funds for conservation.
Celebrities such as Joanna Lumley, Judi Dench and Ricky Gervais put pressure on the European Union yesterday to vote for a ban on the trade of baby elephants, which are allowed to be captured in the wild.