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The Species Survival Network (SSN)
today
congratulated the Government of Algeria for its wise decision to submit
four proposals to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to strengthen the international
conservation of one deer and three gazelle species, mainly endemic to
the North and Western African regions.
CITES Parties will decide the fate of
these
species at their meeting in The Hague, The Netherlands, 3-15 June.
Alice Stroud, SSN Coordinator for the Francophone Africa Regional
Bureau applauded Algeria for taking a stand “towards stronger
conservation of these imperiled species.”
The Barbary Red Deer (Cervus elaphus
barbarus), Cuvier’s Gazelle (Gazella cuvieri),
Dorcas Gazelle
(Gazella dorcas)
and Slender-Horned Gazelle (Gazella leptoceros) face
habitat loss and degradation, poaching, and smuggling of their parts.
They will be considered for Appendix I of CITES, which includes
“all species threatened with extinction which are or may be
affected by trade”.
According to Ms. Stroud,
“International trade for the horns, skins, meat and trophies
from
these animals have caused substantial population declines. Without
immediate and decisive action, this region of the African continent may
lose a valuable part of its natural heritage.”
If the Algerian proposal is approved,
commercial trade in these species will be prohibited and international
movement for noncommercial purposes will be authorized only in
exceptional circumstances in order not to further endanger the survival
of these species.
For
more information contact:
Alice Stroud
Coordinator, Francophone Africa Regional Bureau; Species Survival
Network; 421 Jefferson St; Klamath Falls, OR 97601; USA
Phone/Fax: +1 541 850 9868 (GMT - 8 hours) alicestroud@ssn.org
Editor’s
Notes:
• All species proposed for
CITES uplisting by the Algerian government are included in Appendix I
of the Convention on Migratory Species, which lists species that have
been categorized as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a
significant portion of their range. They are also listed in CITES
Appendix III in Tunisia (CITES Appendix III includes those species that
a Party has identified as being subject to regulation within its
jurisdiction and as needing the cooperation of other Parties to monitor
international trade in the species).
• The three gazelle species
proposed
for uplisting are all listed as species facing a higher risk of global
extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature
(IUCN): Cuvier’s Gazelle is categorized as endangered,
Slender-Horned Gazelle is classified as endangered and decreasing, and
Dorcas Gazelle is classified as vulnerable or decreasing.
• The Barbary Red Deer (Cervus elaphus
barbarus) is heavily affected by habitat loss and
degradation,
smuggling and hunting (possibly both motivated by trade). The existence
of a thriving trade in parts and products of Cervus elaphus for meat,
antler velvet (used in Asia for traditional medicine) and trophy
antlers may cause additional pressure on the species since the existing
markets for Cervus elaphus could include smuggled parts and products of
Cervus elaphus barbarus.
• The Algerian listing
proposals can be downloaded on the CITES website at the following
address http://cites.org/eng/cop/14/raw_props.shtml
• SSN is a coalition of
approximately
80 organizations from all CITES regions who advocate the promotion,
enhancement, and strict enforcement of the Convention.
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