Our planet is facing an unprecedented crisis. The simultaneous threats of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change require immediate and concerted global action. The 2022 IUCN Red List paints a dire picture, showing that the rate of species heading towards extinction continues unabated.

Furthermore, the 2023 World Economic Forum Global Risks Report identifies biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse as some of the fastest deteriorating global risks over the next decade. These alarming trends, coupled with global shocks such as pandemics, geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and social divides, create an uncertain and disruptive environment, placing our planet's future at grave risk.

Billions of people worldwide depend on wild species for their sustenance, whether it's for food, energy, materials, medicine, or other contributions to human well-being. As global supply chains for wild species expand, they provide livelihoods for millions of individuals, particularly in the world's poorest regions.

It is essential to recognize that the term "wildlife" encompasses a diverse array of life forms, including birds, insects, plants, fungi, and even the smallest microorganisms. Each of these organisms plays a unique and critical role in maintaining a healthy ecological balance on our planet, occupying distinct positions in the intricate web of life. Tragically, many animals and birds today find themselves on the brink of extinction.

Human activities, such as land development and farming, are destroying the natural habitats of these creatures. Additionally, the poaching and hunting of animals for fur, jewelry, meat, and leather represent significant contributors to wildlife extinction. Unless immediate action is taken, many of these species are at risk of being added to the growing list of extinct beings.

Illegal trade in wild species is a highly lucrative global criminal enterprise. It not only fuels biodiversity loss but also contributes to environmental degradation, economic losses, and corruption. Shockingly, this illicit trade is estimated to be worth up to USD 23 billion annually, with almost every country in the world playing a role in this nefarious industry.

Wildlife trafficking encompasses a wide range of activities, including the illegal trade, smuggling, poaching, capture, or collection of endangered species, protected wildlife, and their derivatives or products. International organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL use the term 'wildlife and forest crime' to refer to actions that contravene national or international laws related to the taking, trading, importing, exporting, processing, possessing, obtaining, and consumption of wild fauna and flora, including timber and other forest products.

Laws and regulations related to wildlife trafficking vary from country to country. Depending on the jurisdiction, violations of laws concerning the environment, forests, wildlife, fisheries, endangered species, or protected areas may result in administrative, civil, or criminal liability.

In the United States, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 are crucial laws protecting endangered species, prohibiting their harm and trade. In Mexico, both general criminal laws and specific statutes address wildlife trafficking, with penalties for offenses involving timber and endangered fauna and flora. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has multiple laws against wildlife trafficking, including penalties for poaching protected species and regulations on international trade in endangered fauna and flora. Similarly, in India, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, bans trade in over 1800 species of wildlife, plants, and their derivatives.

Countries such as Kenya and the United Kingdom have also enacted legislation to combat wildlife trafficking.

The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC) is a leading non-governmental organization that is dedicated to addressing wildlife trade as part of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Founded in 1976, TRAFFIC operates as a joint program of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). With its headquarters in Cambridge, United Kingdom, TRAFFIC's mission is to ensure that the trading of wild flora and fauna does not endanger environmental protection.

TRAFFIC plays a vital role in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's long-term vision for a harmonious world with nature by 2050. This vision emphasizes valuing, conserving, restoring, and wisely using biodiversity to sustain ecosystems, benefit the planet, and provide for all. TRAFFIC's mission aligns with Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to ecosystems and sustainable production and consumption.

To achieve its goals by 2030, TRAFFIC focuses on two key objectives: reducing illegal and unsustainable trade in wild species and promoting the social, economic, and environmental benefits of legal and sustainable trade in these species.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) plays a central role in the international framework to protect over 35,000 species of animals and plants. Currently, 183 governments are signatories, working together to ensure that trade in wildlife specimens does not jeopardize their survival. Since its inception, TRAFFIC has been at the forefront of advising and supporting the decision-making process of CITES. The organization provides critical trade information and expert analysis to ensure that international wildlife trade remains at sustainable levels.

The 19th Conference of the Parties (CoP) to CITES took place in Panama City, Panama, from November 14th to 25th, 2022. Ahead of this conference, TRAFFIC supplied essential trade information and expert analysis. A delegation from TRAFFIC actively participated in the event, contributing to ongoing discussions, advising stakeholders, and engaging with the press.

The outcomes of the CITES conference were significant. Parties to CITES adopted a series of decisions to regulate trade in various commercially important wild species, with a particular focus on marine and timber species. These actions marked important progress in addressing the global biodiversity crisis, as highlighted by Richard Scobey, Executive Director of TRAFFIC.

These decisions also generated momentum for the completion of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, scheduled to be finalized in Montreal in the following month.
One of the central issues at the conference was the illegal trade in endangered species, particularly elephants and rhinos. Proposals that risked reopening international trade in these species were met with opposition and failed to garner support from the majority of governments. Additionally, Parties agreed to review the CITES National Ivory Action Plan process, a vital mechanism for translating CITES commitments into effective on-the-ground action.

A similar review was conducted for the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS), managed by TRAFFIC for CITES and Parties. The study concluded that ETIS analysis is data-driven and quantitative at its core, and that TRAFFIC maintains objectivity in its use of available data, the analytical approach, and reporting.

Big cats also received significant attention at the conference, with governments renewing Decisions calling for CITES missions in countries with captive breeding facilities for Asian big cats, an area of concern. These missions were deemed a priority, given the findings of a recent TRAFFIC report that indicated that 81% and 67% of seized tigers in some countries were suspected or confirmed to involve captive-sourced tigers, as stated by Sabri Zain, TRAFFIC's Director of Policy.

Throughout the conference, there was a resounding call to end consumer use of wildlife products and increase the awareness of supply chain stakeholders regarding illegal wildlife trade through behavior change communications. Encouragingly, Parties adopted new guidance developed by TRAFFIC on demand-reduction strategies to combat trade in CITES-listed species.

The crucial role of CITES in regulating trade in commercially significant marine species was also emphasized. Parties at the conference supported all proposals to list various marine species in Appendix II of the Convention, including 104 shark and ray species, such as Hammerhead sharks, Guitarfish, Requiem sharks, like the Blue shark, and three Indo-Pacific sea cucumbers.

Across the world, wildlife authorities are grappling with the issue of illegal poaching and the killing of animals for their skins, tusks, and horns. What many individuals involved in these activities fail to comprehend is that, while they may be making significant profits today, in 10 or 20 years, there may be no animals left to provide them with income. The consequences of such actions are far-reaching and cascading – the absence of animals leads to the loss of forests, soil erosion, rising temperatures, drying lakes and rivers, reduced rainfall, and, ultimately, the inability to cultivate crops and sustain plant life.

This is a dire and interconnected consequence that every individual should be acutely aware of right now. Protecting wildlife is not the responsibility of one person; it is a collective effort that necessitates the participation of every member of society. Wildlife authorities should formulate and implement robust strategies to reduce human intrusion into core forest areas and establish appropriate wildlife tourism policies to effectively manage unlawful operations.

Furthermore, as individuals, we can take small steps from our own homes to contribute to the preservation of our planet. We can reduce our use of electronic equipment, such as air conditioners, which contribute to global warming. Carpooling when commuting can help reduce pollution and carbon emissions. Additionally, conserving water is vital to ensure a sustainable future for our planet.

Also Read:

• Animal Trafficking In India
• Illegal Trafficking and Poaching Laws in India
• The Silent Exodus: Exploring Legal Avenues to Combat Wildlife Black Market Trafficking