Protecting Animals With International Treaties

That's why IFAW works actively to ensure the maximum protections for vulnerable wildlife. One of the ways in which IFAW does this is by working within with an international agreement known as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) to eliminate the illegal wildlife trade and protect animals from threats caused by international trade. CITES was developed as an international agreement to ensure that legal international trade in wild animals and plants does not harm or threaten their survival and to eliminate illegal wildlife trade.

Up to 100 Animal and Plant Species Go Extinct Every Day

Legal, but poorly regulated, wildlife trade is accelerating extinction rates for many species. Worldwide, 1,093 of the more than 5,400 (20%) known mammal species and 1,206 of the more than 9,900 (12%) known species of birds are threatened with extinction.

According to Dr. Michael Novacek, Provost of Science at the American Museum of Natural History: "As much as 30 percent of species diversity will be erased by the middle of this century."

In total, an alarming 7,725 species of animals -- from insects and shellfish to gorillas and elephants -- are considered at risk.

Most of these species are endangered by human activities: from illegal poaching and over-exploitation, to pollution, global warming and habitat destruction. Poaching and illegal trade alone could wipe out elephants, tigers and great apes in many parts of their range within 20-50 years. But we have the power to prevent this from happening and to ensure the survival of the world's animals and plants.

Saving endangered species is important not just because of the enjoyment they bring to our lives, but because the web of life is interconnected in complex ways. The loss of a species weakens this web, often before the species is extinct. Dramatic declines in individual numbers of animals and in the biodiversity of species are signs of a degrading ecosystem.

When animals and plants are wiped out, the very fabric of our global environment changes, putting all of us at risk.

We humans depend on the world's diversity of life for our own survival. IFAW is committed to protecting this diversity. And our collaboration with CITES and individual governments are just some of the tools we use to help ensure the survival of the natural treasures of this world we all share with animals.
 
IFAW recognizes CITES as a critical tool for protecting certain species from the potentially devastating effects of international trade. Strict regulation and control of wildlife trade coupled with anti-poaching measures and public education have proven to be the best strategy in protecting animals.