One of the things we can do to help in the survival of endangered species is to not support the trade in products manufactured out of these species. Participating in this trade is even illegal and you risk being prosecuted.
Wildlife trade has always been over-exploited, certain species have and are threatened with extinction because of this. Therefore in 1973 21 countries decided to sign an international treaty, known as CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. It now has more than 135 member states who have banned trade in certain endangered species such as elephants, rhinos, tigers, pandas and hyacinth macaws. Trade in thousands of other species that could become endangered is controlled and monitored by CITES.
A few years later in 1975 TRAFFIC, the world's largest trade monitoring organisation, was set up and is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN The World Conservation Union. TRAFFIC works to identify unsustainable trade in wild plants and animals. This vital work includes assisting CITES in identifying problem areas such as loopholes and law infringements and making recommendations about which species should be covered under CITES.
TRAFFIC advises that you watch out for the following when visiting the following holiday destinations:
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