Global wildlife conference gives better protection to hundreds of threatened animals, plants

BANGKOK – A 12-day global wildlife conference has concluded in Bangkok after granting better protection to hundreds of threatened animal and plant species.

Delegates at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora voted to introduce or maintain trade regulations for animals such as sharks, manta rays and crocodiles. They also placed controls on several tree species exploited by illegal logging.

CITES Secretary-General John Scanlon said Thursday that this year’s conference was a watershed moment for the organization in toughening measures against wildlife crime.

Not all proposals for protecting animals were adopted. The delegates did not ban international trade in polar bears and were criticized for failing to issue serious measures against elephant poaching.

The next meeting is to be held in 2016 in South Africa.