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(Doha) – Four species of spiny-tailed
iguanas that are highly sought after by private collectors in the USA
and Europe were approved for inclusion on CITES Appendix II at today’s
meeting when all governments present supported proposals submitted by
Guatemala and Honduras.
"These are critically endangered
species and poached individuals can sell for as much as $100 as part of
the illegal international pet trade," said Maria Elena Sanchez,
Coordinator of the Latin America Regional Bureau for the Species
Survival Network and executive director of the Mexico-based
organization Teyeliz. "We congratulate Honduras and Guatemala on their
successful proposals to protect these rare animals."
The four newly listed iguana species
live only in Honduras and Guatemala. Three of them have wild
populations of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals.
"CITES Appendix II will
help Honduras and Guatemala to protect these rare animals. I hope that
with proper enforcement and monitoring the predicted dramatic decline
of these species in the wild can be averted,” added Dr. Teresa Telecky,
Executive Director of the Species Survival Network and Wildlife
Director for Humane Society International.
·The four species are Baker’s spiny-tailed iguana
(Ctenosaura bakeri), Roatan spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina),
and Honduran paleata spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura melanosterna), and Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura palearis) of
Guatemala.
·The four species are protected from collection and trade by domestic
laws of Honduras and Guatemala; CITES Appendix II listing will support
these laws.
·In addition to international trade, the species are threatened by
habitat loss.
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