Unsustainable trade in wildlife is one of the central threats to
biodiversity as it concerns thousands of plant and animal
species, and can push them close to extinction. This issue
affects a wide range of live animals and plants as well as a
vast array of products derived from them, including food, fur,
leather goods, musical instruments, timber, tourist souvenirs,
perfumes, and medicines. How can CITES help? Wildlife trade is
big business, estimated to be worth billions of dollars
annually. As wildlife and its products cross borders between
countries, extra efforts and international cooperation are
necessary to regulate it and safeguard certain species from
over-exploitation. CITES accords protection to more than CITES
was conceived in the spirit of such cooperation. It entered into
force in 1975 and today has 177 Parties. It is both a
conservation treaty and a trade treaty. It aims to ensure that
international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten
their survival and further contribute to the c