Protecting vulnerable species from over-exploitation at the CITES CoP20

This includes an Appendix I listing—the highest level of protection, banning international commercial trade—for the Oceanic whitetip shark. Despite its status as one of the most protected shark species globally, it remains heavily exploited. Whale sharks, which are vital for ocean ecotourism in many countries around the world but still threatened by trade in their fins, are also being proposed for an Appendix I listing, alongside manta and devil rays. Decades of unsustainable trade have pushed these species to the brink of extinction.  

Nearly all giant guitarfish and wedgefish species—17 out of 18—are now critically endangered, driven largely by the high market value of their fins. IFAW supports a zero annual export quota to temporarily halt commercial trade. This would give these species an opportunity to recover to a level where sustainable trade could be possible. 

Smooth-hound and gulper sharks are proposed for Appendix II listings, which are needed to better regulate trade in these endangered species. Smooth-hound sharks are prevalent in global meat and small fin trades, while gulper sharks are targeted for their liver oil. 

Strengthening protections for these species is essential to curbing unsustainable global

Exotic pet trade 

The international trade in live animals for the exotic pet trade is increasingly putting wild populations at risk.  

Many endemic species are prevalent in the exotic pet trade because of their rarity and uniqueness. Despite often being protected in their home countries, animals are frequently illegally taken from the wild and then laundered through the trade in captive-bred specimens. 

This is the case for Galapagos iguanas where IFAW is urging governments to support the proposal to transfer them from Appendix II to Appendix I. This will protect this endemic species from the threat of illegal pet trade and bring greater scrutiny to illegitimate claims of trade in captive-bred animals. 

Australian leaf-tailed geckos are also proposed for listing by CITES. Australia has strict national legislation that bans the export of native wildlife for commercial purposes. Yet, these species continue to be sold on digital platforms, and at pet trade shows without legal export permits ever being issued. This is just one example of traffickers stopping at nothing to get the rare creatures they want. 

Lastly, IFAW will support Appendix II listings for Hoffmann's two-toed sloths and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths, which are increasingly exported as pets and for the tourist trade. The regulation of international trade is urgently needed to help avoid a further increase in the numbers of sloths traded and to help tackle illegal trade, preventing ultimate population decline.  

Elephant ivory and rhino horn 

Any legal trade provides opportunities for criminals to launder poached elephant tusks and rhino horns into the market while imperiling rhino and elephant populations. This is exactly what happened the last time governments at CITES allowed the sale of stockpiled ivory in 2008. We saw a decade of poaching unleashed on African elephants that is only now beginning to subside. This is a mistake governments must not repeat, given the significant risk this poses to these already vulnerable species. 

Giraffes 

The giraffe was listed on CITES Appendix II in 2019 after it suffered a dramatic decrease in numbers, with some scientists referring to it as a ‘silent extinction’. Despite only being listed a few years ago, some southern African countries are seeking to remove this protection for their populations of giraffes at the upcoming CoP20. IFAW will urge governments to oppose this proposal. 

The Appendix II listing is important, as it had previously been impossible to determine the scale of international trade in giraffe products and its contribution to the decline of giraffe populations. This trade is largely driven by demand for bones, bone carvings, and skin pieces. 

While IFAW recognises and applauds the efforts of southern African countries to protect all giraffe populations, if the listing is revised, distinguishing between the species in trade would become a problem. 

These greater protections are critical in ensuring these species are not further endangered. They also help to combat illegal wildlife trade––one of the largest and most profitable criminal activities globally.