CITES is Best Hope for Dozens of Turtle Species

Submitted by Wildlife Conser... on Sun, 11/13/2022 - 19:42
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Proposals from turtle range states drive leading charge to protect imperiled turtles “Turtles are uniquely vulnerable to trade – either from pet dealers or private collectors of rare species. We urge all countries to support these proposals before turtles crawl into extinction.” – Dr. Susan Lieberman, WCS Vice President of International Policy.
  • Proposals from turtle range states drive leading charge to protect imperiled turtles
  • “Turtles are uniquely vulnerable to trade – either from pet dealers or private collectors of rare species. We urge all countries to support these proposals before turtles crawl into extinction.” – Dr. Susan Lieberman, WCS Vice President of International Policy
PANAMA CITY , Panama    November 14, 2022
  • Mata Mata turtle CREDIT: Copia de iStock-SeregraffMata Mata turtle CREDIT: Copia de iStock-Seregraff

The following statement is by Dr. Susan Lieberman, WCS Vice President of International Policy who spoke at a special event on the need to increase protection of more than a dozen turtle species by CITES CoP19 ( Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ), which is meeting from Nov 14-25 at Panama City, Panama.

“Turtles represent one of the most severely threatened vertebrate groups. They are particularly vulnerable to trade by pet dealers or private collectors of rare species. Sixty-one percent of turtle species are vulnerable to extinction or already extinct.

“In some ways CITES CoP19 is the ‘reptile CoP’ because so many proposals are focused on protecting reptiles from increasingly unsustainable trade. However, CITES isn’t about pointing fingers; it’s about cooperating with member countries, and we are encouraged that the proposals come from the range countries themselves. In addition, m ore than 150 turtle biologists have signed a letter supporting all 12 proposals. In particular, WCS recommends adoption of proposals to protect alligator snapping turtles and mata mata turtles, which have late sexual maturity, long adult lifespan, and extended reproductive lives, which makes them particularly vulnerable to over-exploitation. Inclusion these species in Appendix II will help ensure exports are legal and sustainable, and will stimulate improved management.”

“We urge all CITES member countries to support these proposals before turtles crawl into extinction.”

See all WCS position statements on proposals and documents (in English, French, and Spanish) at www.wcs.org/cites

WCS views on the proposals to amend the Appendices are based on the CITES listing criteria, the best available scientific and technical information, and information from our field and country programs around the world. WCS looks forward to working with the Parties during CoP19.

WCS, ,
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org . Follow: . For more information: +1 (347) 840-1242 .

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org . Follow: . For more information: +1 (347) 840-1242 .

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