A review of the effecttiveness of CITES implementation in conservation of listed species of concern : The National Action Plans on Elephant Ivory and Rhino Horn Trade

Abstract

Trabajo Fin de Máster Propio. Tutor: Dr. Kariuki Muigua. The African Elephant and the black rhino were listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) in 1989 and 1997, respectively, prohibiting their international trade. However, the illegal ivory trade continued to thrive, leading to the development of National Ivory Action Plans (NIAPs) to combat the illicit ivory trade and trafficking. The NIAPs process created an obligation on CITES parties in the illegal ivory supply chain to take specific measures in specific timeframes to tackle the trade. The CITES Guidelines to the National Ivory Action Plan process adopted at the 17th Conference of the Parties recognized the need for performance indicators and targets to demonstrate progress. The aim of this research is to assess the efficacy of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) measures that are specific to certain species. This includes examining the effectiveness of the National Ivory Action Plans Process and the Rhino Horn National Action Plans in the conservation of endangered species. The study also seeks to determine whether similar measures can be applied to other species of concern that are listed under CITES, to prevent their extinction caused by unsustainable trade. The study utilized questionnaires and interviews to investigate the effectiveness of CITES measures in the conservation of specific endangered species. Expert interviews were conducted with 15 individuals from law enforcement and CITES management and scientific authorities officers, selected based on their role in implementing CITES provisions and developing and implementing national ivory and rhino horn plans, as well as wildlife law enforcement. The interviews took place from December 2022 to March 2023, both in person and online, and consisted of predetermined close-ended questions. Experts were chosen from various CITES management authorities, scientific authorities, non-government agencies, and law enforcement officers, including customs officers. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of CITES measures and their potential application to other endangered species. The study findings are presented through charts and tables, and indicate that the majority of interviewees were from management authorities. This is a crucial role in the CITES processes and the National Action Plans process, as they are responsible for permitting and reporting.