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THE HAGUE—Delegates at the
ongoing meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES in The Hague,
Netherlands, today overwhelmingly rejected an American proposal to
remove the bobcat (Lynx rufus) from protection
under the CITES Appendices. The proposal was defeated by a majority of
more than two to one.
Despite the fact that the USA has
repeatedly tried and failed to have such a measure approved, Parties
including Mexico, Serbia, Germany on behalf of the EU and India
strongly opposed the measure.
“The bobcat is already the
most heavily trafficked cat species with an average of more than 28,000
skins exported annually from the USA between 2001 and 2005”
said Adam Roberts, Vice President of Born Free USA, a member of the
Species Survival Network.
“Maintaining the species on Appendix II provides an important
trade monitoring opportunity and delivers additional protection for one
of the most endangered cats in the world, the Iberian lynx, which is
virtually indistinguishable in appearance.”
The International Union for the
Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened
Species acknowledges that the bobcat is experiencing
“a declining trend due to persecution and degradation of its
habitat and prey base” and that “there is still
concern over whether commercial trapping, as practiced in North
America, is sustainable for the bobcat population.”
Voting was brisk at the start of the
morning session and the results – 28 votes in favour, 63
votes against and 9 abstentions – underscored the mood of the
Conference that the bobcat should continue to benefit from the trade
control mechanisms offered by CITES.
Mr. Roberts concluded, “It’s terribly disappointing
when my government seems to act on behalf of commercial industry rather
than in the interest of the species and in step with the overwhelming
majority of conservation-minded, compassionate citizens. I hope this
vote sends a strong message to the US Government that bobcats and
related species across the globe deserve a long-term reprieve from
unfettered exploitation for commercial gain.”
For more information contact:
Adam
M. Roberts, Press
Officer,
In The Hague: 06-5213 6798
Globally: 1-202-445-3572
E-mail: press@ssn.org
WORLD FORUM CONVENTION CENTRE
10, Churchillplein NL-2508 THE HAGUE
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