Target: Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Goal: Praise the decision to grant giraffes added protections from international trade.
Giraffes have been granted stronger protections against international trade as part of a global wildlife protection agreement. This will mean that countries across the world will place stricter regulations on the trade of giraffes and giraffe-parts. Thank those involved in this monumental decision.
“Humanity needs to respond to the growing extinction crisis by transforming the way we manage the world’s wild animals and plants. Business as usual is no longer an option,” stated Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero. She and other members of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flore (CITES) met to discuss the fates of dozens of wildlife species that have recently become threatened. Of those species, the giraffe was added to Appendix II, meaning that international trade of giraffes will only be permitted in extraordinary circumstances. This came in response to the fact that 40% of giraffe numbers have fallen in the last three decades, a concern highlighted in this ForceChange Petition.
This is a conservation win for the giraffe, a species that has not seen many wins as of late. Sign below and thank those involved in making this decision.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary-General Higuero,
Giraffes now face one less hurdle in their fight for survival, thanks to your decision to add them to the CITES Axis II list. This is a species that has declined by a shocking 40% in the last thirty years due to habitat loss, poaching, and trade. By adding them to Axis II, their trade will only be allowed in extraordinary circumstances. This means that hunters will be less motivated to kill them for their body parts or attempt to smuggle them across the border for other reasons.
The giraffe is a majestic creature that is threatened solely because of human greed and behavior. Your recognition of this fact helped to open the eyes of the other parties to the convention to the real danger of losing this species completely. Thank you for taking such a strong and dedicated stance for conservation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Alexas_Fotos
288 Signatures