The CITES 'endangered' myth

[mrcota]

There appears to be a common misconception that CITES appendices have anything to do with 'endangered' status. This is not the case. Even though CITES stands for the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species, many truly endangered species do not receive a CITES Appendix I listing. CITES has nothing to do with the determination of whether a species is endangered or not. CITES main concern is trade and it is political in nature. It protects species that are commercially valuable. If the species is not commercially valuable, it is rarely given CITES I (most protected) status.

Who decides a species' status?

The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) through SSC (Species Survival Commission) decides a species status. These can be found in the IUCN Red List.The 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Unfortunately, governments are not bound by a signed 'convention' with the IUCN, so they do not have to do anything to help a species plight.

An example of something near and dear to my heart: monitor lizards. Currently, the follow monitor lizards are categorised as CITES I:
Varanus bengalensis, Varanus flavescens, Varanus griseus, Varanus komodoensis, Varanus nebulosus (actually Varanus bengalensis nebulosus).
Of those listed, only V. komodoensis is listed as even vulnerable and V. flavescens is listed as 'least concern'. The closest to endangered is V. olivaceus, which is only listed as CITES II.

Cheers,
Michael

[morti]

That is good information to have at your fingertips Michael.

[VoodooChile]

that is great info Thanks!

[owen.richards]

so do coastal carpets and jungle carpets need a citis permit to ship from us to canada? i have had 3 people offer me carpet pythons free over various forums but i always thought you need a citis permit to ship em here, so i havent accepted any of them, but i really wanted them

[mrcota]

Originally Posted by owen.richards

so do coastal carpets and jungle carpets need a citis permit to ship from us to canada? i have had 3 people offer me carpet pythons free over various forums but i always thought you need a citis permit to ship em here, so i havent accepted any of them, but i really wanted them

Morelia spilota (all subspecies and variants) are listed under CITES Appendix II, which requires a CITES export permit from the country of origin and a CITES import permit from the country which it is being sent.

Cheers,
Michael

[owen.richards]

ok so since they are from Australia...and the ones being offered to me are CBB in the us and i am in canada, do i need a citis?

[mrcota]

Yes.

A CITES export permit is required, to be obtained by the one shipping/ sending, from the US CITES authority (because it is the country of origin, where they might have to produce some kind of proof that it was CBB in the US- up to the US CITES authority).

A CITES import permit will be needed, for you to obtain, from the Canadian CITES authority.