Urgent measures to protect threatened species on the table as delegates gather for 13th CMS conference

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Proposals to improve protection for jaguars, elephants, sharks and other species will be on the agenda as the 13^th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) begins on Monday (17) in Gandhinagar, India.

The ability of many migratory animals to survive across their range will be affected by decisions taken at the meeting by attending government representatives of most of the 130 member parties. The conference is scheduled to run until next Saturday (22).

Matt Collis, Director, International Policy, of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and head of IFAW's delegation at CMS, said: "Habitat loss and other human-made threats, as well as lack of consistent national legislative protection for many species which cross national boundaries, has decimated some animal populations which are now at a tipping point for future survival. CMS offers a unique opportunity to ensure we step up to protect these animals across their range states and the place they call home. It is vital that countries seize this opportunity to safeguard some of our most vulnerable species."

Jaguars will be prominent on the agenda at CoP13, with a proposal to list them on both appendices of CMS to increase protections across their range, which covers 19 states. Urgent action is vital with 40% of jaguar habitat having been lost over the last 100 years. Further destruction of habitat and critical migratory corridors likely poses the greatest threat to the survival of the iconic species.

While the jaguar is classed as 'Near Threatened' globally, 13 range states have declared the jaguar to be 'Endangered', four 'Vulnerable', while two have already suffered local extinctions. Co-proposed by six countries in Latin America, this is the highest ever number of co-proponents for a proposal at CMS, excluding those sponsored collectively by all EU member states. This demonstrates the strength of regional support for this flagship species.

Collis added: "IFAW is strongly supportive of the proposal to list the jaguar and therefore provide vital protection for this animal which is emblematic of the problems facing many migratory species. An Appendix I and II listing will encourage greater regional cooperation, particularly for management of transboundary populations, maintenance or creation of key migratory corridors for isolated populations and prevent further jaguar habitat loss and population declines.

"It is critical that CMS puts these safeguards in place for this species - the largest native cat in the Americas – if we are to help sustain it in both the shorter and longer term."

The mainland Asian elephant has been proposed for listing for the first time by host country India. Classified as 'Endangered' by the IUCN, Asian elephants suffer threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal killing for ivory and other products or in retaliation due to human-elephant conflict, or deaths through contact with human infrastructure, such as collisions with trains.

"The inclusion of Asian elephants under CMS can be the catalyst for a regional agreement by Asian elephant range states, where CMS member and non-member states can take collective actions to protect the many populations of Asian elephant that are transboundary," said Collis.

Also proposed for listing is the oceanic whitetip shark, once considered one of the most common tropical sharks in the world, but now one of the most endangered sharks in the ocean. Its drastic decline is due in part to overfishing, particularly for the lucrative shark fin soup trade, which has decimated populations throughout its range. With its Red List status updated last December to critically endangered, its losses average a shocking 98-100% worldwide.

Collis added: "Although it can't be legally caught or retained by most international and regional fisheries management organisations, this species may still go extinct because of its depleted population. Its status and the threat of imminent extinction shows the urgent need for better global protection."

Other key species which will be considered for action to protect them include the giraffe, undergoing a 'silent extinction' as numbers have plummeted by up to 40% over the last 30 years, as well as guitarfish and wedgefish (the most endangered group of sharks) and African carnivores, including the highly trafficked cheetah.

IFAW works in more than 40 countries, to rescue and protect animals and their habitats, for a world where animals and people can thrive together. A team of IFAW experts will be attending CMS CoP13 and are available for interview throughout.

For more information or to arrange interviews with IFAW experts please contact Clare Sterling on mobile +44 (0)7917 507717 or email [email protected]. Skype interviews can be arranged on request.

CMS information and documents are available here: https://www.cms.int/en/cop13

IFAW will be tweeting updates from the proceedings via various accounts including @Action4IFAW http://twitter.com/action4ifaw

Images and footage will be available for media use

About the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) - The International Fund for Animal Welfare is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we're up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org

SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare

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