Outcomes of species proposals: 17th Conference of the Parties

Date Posted: 2016-11-22

17.01 - Delete wood bison from Appendix II

Proponent: Canada
Result: Adopted

This Canadian proposal was adopted by consensus. Wood bison does not meet the criteria for continued listing on CITES Appendix II. Regulations are in place under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), provincial and territorial wildlife Acts, and Agriculture Acts to ensure that harvest and trade will not threaten the species. With the adoption of this proposal, trade in wood bison will no longer be subject to CITES controls.

17.02 - Add western tur to Appendix II

Proponent: European Union and Georgia
Result: Amended proposal adopted

The proponents agreed to amend their proposal and include the western tur, a wild goat, in Appendix II without an annotation. The amended proposal was adopted by consensus. Canada supported the removal of the annotation as it would have resulted in restrictions on trade in hunting trophies for one of the western tur subspecies that would have been precedent setting and difficult to enforce.

17.03 - Amendment to the CITES annotation of vicuna in Appendix II

Proponent: Peru
Result: Amended proposal adopted

This technical proposal to harmonize the conditions of trade in one annotation for all populations of vicuna listed in Appendix II was adopted by consensus. The annotation was developed during the meeting and the proposal was amended to include it.

17.04 - Transfer all African populations of lion to Appendix I

Proponent: Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Togo
Result: Amended proposal adopted

Based on a consensus reached by a working group, decisions were adopted by the Conference of the Parties regarding management and conservation of African lion, and this proposal was amended and adopted by consensus to retain African lion in Appendix II with an annotation to restrict commercial trade in specimens of wild origin and to apply specific conditions for trade in captive bred specimens.

17.05 - Transfer of eastern cougar and Florida panther to Appendix II

Proponent: Canada
Result: Adopted

This proposal submitted by Canada to transfer two North American cougar subspecies from Appendix I to Appendix II was adopted by consensus. This proposal underwent review by the CITES Animals Committee who agreed that a transfer to Appendix II would be appropriate. There is no international trade in these subspecies and the eastern cougar is considered extinct. The adoption of this proposal aligns the nomenclature for this species with the taxonomic reference for mammals adopted by CITES and resolves some taxonomic issues that Canada has experienced with respect to export of cougar from western Canada.

17.06 - Transfer the Cape mountain zebra to Appendix II

Proponent: South Africa
Result: Adopted

The proposal to transfer this zebra subspecies from Appendix I to Appendix II was adopted by consensus. All subspecies of the mountain zebra are now included in Appendix II.

17.07 - Amendment to the CITES annotation of white rhino in Appendix II

Proponent: Swaziland
Result: Rejected

This proposal to allow lessening of trade restrictions for the Appendix II Southern White Rhino from Swaziland was rejected by a secret vote (Yes 26, No 100, Abstain 17). Although it is clear that there would be economic and species benefits in Swaziland as a result of the proposal, Swaziland rhinoceros meet the biological criteria for Appendix I listing, and there would be risk to other rhino populations if this proposal were adopted.

17.08 and 17.09 - Transfer of an Asian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) to CITES Appendix I

Proponent: 17.08 - Bangladesh
17.09 - India, Sri Lanka, and United States of America
Result: Proposal 8 withdrawn
Proposal 9 adopted

As these two proposals to transfer an Asian pangolin species (Manus crassicaudata) from Appendix II to Appendix I were identical, proposal 8 was withdrawn in favour of proposal 9 which was then adopted by consensus. Listing all pangolin species will be beneficial for enforcement as the primary market is for scales used in traditional medicine which are often powdered and thus difficult to differentiate at the species level.

17.10 - Transfer of an Asian pangolin (Manis culionensis) to CITES Appendix I

Proponent: Philippines and United States of America
Result: Adopted

This proposal to transfer an Asian pangolin species (Manis culionensis) from Appendix II to Appendix I was adopted by consensus.

17.11 - Transfer of two Asian pangolins (Manis javanica, M. pentadactyla) to CITES Appendix I

Proponent: United States of America and Viet Nam
Result: Adopted

Consensus to transfer these Asian pangolin species from Appendix II to Appendix I was blocked by Indonesia, who considered that an Appendix II listing was still an effective conservation measure for these species. This proposal was adopted by vote (Yes 114, No 1, Abstain 5).

17.12 - Transfer of four African pangolin species to Appendix I

Proponent: Angola, Botswana, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and United States of America
Result: Adopted

This proposal to transfer four African pangolin species from Appendix II to Appendix I was adopted by consensus.

17.13 - Transfer of Barbary macaque to Appendix I

Proponent: European Union and Morocco
Result: Adopted

Canada joined the consensus to transfer the Barbary macaque from Appendix II to Appendix I as it meets the biological criteria for Appendix I and is at risk of extinction due to international trade demand for the pet trade.

17.14 and 17.15 - Delete the CITES annotation of African elephant in Appendix II for Namibia and Zimbabwe

Proponent: 17.14 - Namibia
17.15 - Zimbabwe
Result: Rejected

This proposal sought to remove the detailed trade restrictions found in an annotation to the Appendix II listing of Namibian elephants. Canada followed the debate closely to hear the views of the African elephant range States regarding conservation of elephant populations. Namibia has been able to sufficiently conserve its elephants to result in a significant increase in their population. The proposal was rejected by secret vote (Yes 27, No 73, Abstain 9). Canada did not support the proposal after hearing the views of the range States which did not lead to consensus.

The proposal to remove the annotations to the Appendix II listing for the population of Zimbabwe was also rejected by Secret vote (Yes 21, No 90, Abstain 11). Canada did not support the proposal as it was not clear that Zimbabwe has been able to sufficiently conserve or protect their elephants from poaching or that they will be able to in the future.

17.16 - Inclusion of all populations of African elephant in Appendix I

Proponent: Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Uganda
Result: Rejected

This proposal to transfer four populations of African elephant currently on Appendix II (populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe) to Appendix I as a measure to protect all African elephant populations was rejected by open vote (Yes 62, No 44, Abstain 12). Elephants do not meet the biological criteria for listing (as a whole or for the four populations in question) on Appendix I and thus Canada did not support a transfer of the four populations to Appendix I.

17.17 - Transfer of peregrine falcon to Appendix II

Proponent: Canada
Result: Rejected

This Canadian proposal to transfer the Peregrine Falcon from Appendix I to Appendix II failed to reach the two-third majority required for adoption (Yes 52, No 57, Abstain 12). After considerable debate it was clear that many Parties supported this proposal as a conservation success story because the species no longer meets the criteria for Appendix I. Canada presented a comprehensive analysis of the protection measures in over 90% of the trading countries and an evidence-based, reasonable assessment of the risk to the Peregrine Falcon of a transfer to Appendix II. Nonetheless, the proposal did not achieve the required support for adoption. Notably, the European Union (with 28 votes) still had concerns that an Appendix II listing would stimulate demand for wild Peregrine Falcons and that measures to ensure sustainable trade may not be in place in all range countries. Unfortunately, information was not provided regarding the extent of potential increased wild take and where measures were lacking. Canada remains confident that CITES Appendix II is the international trade control that is proportionate and therefore appropriate to the risks to the species.

17.18 - Transfer of the helmeted honeyeater to Appendix II

Proponent: Australia
Result: Adopted

This proposal to transfer the helmeted honeyeater from Appendix I to Appendix II underwent review by the CITES Animals Committee who agreed that a transfer to Appendix II would be appropriate. The proposal was adopted by consensus.

17.19 - Transfer of African grey parrot to Appendix I

Proponent: Angola, Chad, European Union, Gabon, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and the United States of America.
Result: Adopted

This proposal was adopted by secret vote (Yes 95, No 35, Abstain 5) after extensive debate. Canada supported the proposal after listening to the views of range states and concerns with the ineffectiveness of the Appendix II listing.

17.20 - Transfer of Southern boobook owl to Appendix II

Proponent: Australia
Result: Adopted

Canada joined the consensus to transfer this species to Appendix II. The proposal underwent review by the CITES Animals Committee who agreed that a transfer to Appendix II would be appropriate. The purebred subspecies no longer exists, and as the remaining hybrid is well protected, there was no conservation benefits of a continued Appendix I listing.

17.21 - Transfer of American crocodile from Columbia to Appendix II

Proponent: Colombia
Result: Adopted

This proposal to transfer Colombia's Cispata Bay population of American crocodile to Appendix II to allow for strictly controlled trade in ranched specimens was adopted by consensus. The Appendix II listing will allow for sustainable use of this population that will support the livelihoods of local people while promoting the recovery of the species.

17.22 - Amendment to the CITES annotation of Morelet’s crocodile in Appendix II

Proponent: Mexico
Result: Adopted

This proposal to remove the annotation that restricts trade in wild specimens from the Mexican population of Morelet’s crocodile was adopted by consensus.

17.23 - Amendment to the CITES annotation of Nile crocodile in Appendix II

Proponent: Madagascar
Result: Withdrawn

Madagascar withdrew their proposal to amend the annotation for the Nile crocodile on CITES Appendix II. They were proposing a set of management measures to be included in the annotation as trade conditions for their population of the Nile crococile.

17.24 - Transfer of Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) to Appendix II

Proponent: Malaysia
Result: Adopted

Canada joined the consensus to support this proposal to transfer the Malaysian population of saltwater crocodile to Appendix II. The population does not meet the biological criteria for listing in Appendix I and precautionary measures are in place to ensure that an Appendix II listing can be implemented and enforced.

17.25 - Add 5 species of alligator lizard to Appendix I and 5 species to Appendix II

Proponent: Guatemala
Result: Amended proposal adopted

With the removal of the proposed zero export for specimens of the species bred in non-range countries, Canada joined the consensus to adopt this proposal. This proposal lists five species endemic to Guatemala in Appendix I, and five other species found in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras in Appendix II. All ten species are subject to a zero export quota for wild specimens.

17.26 - Add all 29 species of alligator lizards to Appendix II

Proponent: European Union and Mexico
Result: Amended proposal adopted

This proposal for the inclusion of all 29 species of Abronia on CITES Appendix II was amended to exclude the 10 species considered in proposal 25. The amended proposal was adopted by consensus.

17.27 and 17.28 - Add 21 species of pygmy chameleons to Appendix II

Proponent: 17.27 - Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria and the United States of America
17.28 - Kenya
Result: Proposal 27 Adopted
Proposal 28 Withdrawn

The addition of 21 species of pygmy chameleons to Appendix II was adopted by consensus. Proposal 27 was considered first, and as it was adopted, proposal 28 was withdrawn. As the only genus of chameleons not listed in CITES, trade demand for the pet trade had shifted to these African species. With the adoption of this proposal, all species in the family Chamaeleonidae are listed in the CITES appendices.

17.29 - Add psychedelic rock gecko to Appendix I

Proponent: European Union and Viet Nam
Result: Adopted

This proposal to list the psychedelic rock gecko on Appendix I was adopted by consensus. Though there is very little trade data for this species, trade demand seems to be a primary threat and the species meets the criteria for listing on Appendix I of CITES. There is increasing evidence of poaching and illegal international trade for commercial pet trade. Collection for international trade would be detrimental to the species given the small population size (~500 individuals).

17.30 - Add turquoise dwarf gecko to Appendix I

Proponent: European Union and United Republic of Tanzania
Result: Adopted

This proposal to list the turquoise dwarf gecko on CITES Appendix I was adopted by consensus. The species is at risk from trade and it has been assessed as critically endangered by IUCN.

17.31 - Add Masobe gecko to Appendix II

Proponent: European Union and Madagascar
Result: Adopted

Canada joined the consensus to list Masobe gecko on Appendix II because the species is endangered under IUCN and is in demand for trade.

17.32 - Add earless monitor lizard to Appendix I

Proponent: Malaysia
Result: Amended proposal adopted

As consensus could not be reached regarding whether or not the earless monitor lizard met the criteria for listing in Appendix I, the proposal was amended to include the species in Appendix II with a zero export quota for wild specimens for commercial purposes. The amended proposal was adopted by consensus. The species is known to be in trade, facilitated by online networks, and it is evident that any trade in this species would be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.

17.33 - Transfer of Chinese crocodile lizard to Appendix I

Proponent: China, European Union and Viet Nam
Result: Adopted

This proposal to transfer the Chinese crocodile lizard from Appendix II to Appendix I was adopted by consensus. The species is in decline due to over-exploitation for international trade and the species meets CITES Appendix I criteria.

17.34 - Add Ashe’s bush viper to Appendix II

Proponent: Kenya - None available
Result: Adopted

This proposal to include Ashe's bush viper in Appendix II was adopted by consensus.

17.35 - Add Kenya horned viper to Appendix II

Proponent: Kenya
Result: Adopted

This proposal to include Kenya horned viper in Appendix II was adopted by consensus.

17.36 - Add 6 species of African soft-shell turtles to Appendix II

Proponent: Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Togo and United States of America
Result: Adopted

This proposal was adopted by consensus. With the adoption of this proposal along with the inclusion of the North American genus of soft-shell turtles in Appendix III by the United States, all but one species of this family are included in the CITES Appendices. Listing at the family level is important as trade demand shifts between species depending on availability and trade restrictions.

17.37 - Transfer the tomato frog to Appendix II

Proponent: Madagascar
Result: Adopted

This proposal to transfer the tomato frog from Appendix I to Appendix II was adopted by consensus. There are three species in this genus. The other two were included in Appendix II (proposal 38) at CoP17.

17.38 - Add two tomato frog species to Appendix II

Proponent: Madagascar
Result: Adopted

With the adoption of this proposal by consensus, as well as proposal 37, all three species of tomato frogs are now included in Appendix II. All species are in the international pet trade and the trade appears to be increasing. An Appendix II listing at the genus level will allow for better overall control of international trade.

17.39 - Add three burrowing frog species to Appendix II

Proponent: Madagascar
Result: Adopted

This proposal was adopted by consensus. These three burrowing frog species are endemic to Madagascar. Two of the species are threatened by trade and the third species has a similar appearance and an overlapping range with the other two species.

17.40 - Add Titicaca water frog to Appendix I

Proponent: Bolivia and Peru
Result: Adopted

The proposal to list Titicaca water frog in CITES Appendix I was adopted by consensus. According to the proposal and the status in the IUCN Red List, the species has suffered marked declines and is critically endangered. While data are lacking regarding the volume of international trade, there is evidence that the species is traded internationally.

17.41 - Add Hong Kong warty newt to Appendix II

Proponent: China
Result: Adopted

This proposal to list the warty newt species in Appendix II was adopted by consensus. The species is in demand for the pet trade and is likely negatively impacted by high levels of collection. Regulation of international trade will benefit the species.

17.42 - Add silky shark to Appendix II

Proponent: Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Dominican Republic, Egypt, European Union, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Mauritania, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Ukraine
Result: Adopted

The proposal to include Silky shark in Appendix II with a 12 month delay in implementation was adopted by secret vote (Yes 111, No 30, Abstain 5). Canada supported the proposal. Silky shark meets the criteria for Appendix II. Retention in directed and bycatch fisheries for international trade has been identified as the primary threat to this species and trade is largely unregulated due to the lack of species specific custom codes.

17.43 - Add three thresher shark species to Appendix II

Proponent: Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Dominican Republic, Egypt, European Union, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritania, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Ukraine
Result: Adopted

This proposal to include Bigeye, Common and Pelagic threshers in Appendix II with a 12 month delay in implementation was adopted by secret vote (Yes 108, No 29, Abstain 5). Canada listened carefully to debate particularly regarding data in support of the listing criteria. Canada did not support the proposal as it was not demonstrated that the Common and Pelagic thresher sharks meet the criteria for an Appendix II listing and information was lacking to determine if Bigeye Thresher shark meets the criteria for an Appendix II listing.

17.44 - Add 9 Mobula ray species to Appendix II

Proponent: Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, European Union, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Mauritania, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and the United States of America
Result: Adopted

This proposal to include nine Mobula ray species in Appendix II with a 6 month delay in implementation was adopted by secret vote (Yes 110, No 20, Abstain 3). Canada supported the proposal. There is a conservation benefit to listing in CITES given the high demand for products in international trade appearing to drive the harvest, lack of national and international management, and inability to distinguish the traded products (dried gill plates) of all Mobula species.

17.45 - Add Ocellate River Stingray to Appendix II

Proponent: Bolivia
Result: Withdrawn

The proposal to include Ocellate River Stingray in Appendix II was withdrawn by the proponent. The species has been included in Appendix III.

17.46 - Add Banggai cardinalfish to Appendix II

Proponent: European Union
Result: Withdrawn

With the adoption of a suite of decisions to address the sustainable management and trade in this species, this proposal to include the Banggai cardinalfish in Appendix II was withdrawn.

17.47 - Add clarion angelfish to Appendix II

Proponent: Mexico
Result: Adopted

This proposal to include clarion angelfish in Appendix II was adopted by vote (Yes 69, No 21, Abstain 15). Canada listened carefully to debate particularly regarding data in support of the listing criteria and conservation benefit of the listing beyond protection measures already in place. Canada did not support this proposal because it was not demonstrated that the species meets the biological criteria for listing or that it will meet the criteria in the near future. Management measures are already in place to protect the species and harvesting for trade does not appear to be causing declines in the population.

17.48 - Add nautilis to Appendix II

Proponent: Fiji, India, Palau and the United States of America
Result: Adopted

This proposal to add the family of the chambered nautiluses in Appendix II was adopted by vote (Yes 84, No 9, 10 Abstain). Canada supported the proposal. These species meet the biological criteria for listing. Marked population declines have been documented where fisheries exist or have existed. These species are vulnerable to declines due to the demand for products in trade, current fishing pressure, the intrinsic vulnerability of the species and the lack of management nationally and internationally.

17.49 - Add Cuban land snails to Appendix I

Proponent: Cuba
Result: Adopted

This proposal to include all six species from this genus of Cuban land snail on Appendix I was adopted by consensus. The six species are endemic to Cuba. The demand for trade (primarily for shells by tourists) seems to vary between the species. International trade is mostly in wild specimens that are often newly killed for their shells, and not just taken from recycled collections. Though the species have been protected in Cuba since 2012 and export has been banned since 1943, they continue to be at risk of extinction due to international trade.

17.50 - Add ponytail palms to Appendix II

Proponent: Mexico
Result: Adopted

This proposal to list 11 species of ponytail palm in Appendix II was adopted by vote (Yes 69, No 8, Abstain 27). Canada supported the proposal. Mexico, the sole range State for one of the species, reports unsustainable levels of illegal harvesting and export of seeds and whole plants. The Mexican species is highly prized by collectors and specimens command very high prices.

17.51 - Delete Maury’s tillandsia from Appendix II

Proponent: Mexico
Result: Adopted

This proposal to remove Maury's tillandsia from CITES Appendix II was adopted by consensus. The proposal underwent review by the CITES Plants Committee who agreed that deletion from Appendix II would be appropriate. The species does not appear to be in trade, particularly from the wild.

17.52 - Transfer of fishhook cacti to Appendix I

Proponent: United States of America
Result: Adopted

This proposal to transfer three species of fishhook cacti to Appendix I was adopted by consensus. The proposal underwent review by the CITES Plants Committee who agreed that a transfer to Appendix I would be appropriate.

17.53 - Amendment to the CITES annotation of Siamese rosewood in Appendix II

Proponent: Thailand
Result: Amended proposal adopted

17.54 - Add 13 timber tree species of rosewood to Appendix II

Proponent: Mexico
Result: Amended proposal adopted

17.55 - Add all rosewood in the genus Dalbergia to CITES Appendix II

Proponent: Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala and Kenya
Result: Amended proposal adopted

Proposals 53, 54, and 55 for rosewood species (Dalbergia spp.) were considered together. The result was one proposal to list all rosewood species (the entire Dalbergia genus) on Appendix II with an annotation that was developed by the proponents of the three proposals. The annotation specifies that all parts and derivatives of rosewood species are regulated by CITES Appendix II except the species listed in Appendix I; leaves, flowers, pollen, fruit, and seeds; non-commercial exports of a maximum total weight of 10 kg per shipment; parts and derivatives of Dalbergia cochinchinensis which are covered by Annotation #4; and parts and derivatives of Dalbergia spp. originating and exported from Mexico which are covered by Annotation #6. The amended proposal was adopted by consensus.

As implementation of CITES controls for rosewood species currently listed is impeded by difficulty in identification of individual Dalbergia species and rosewood species are at the center of current uncontrolled and unregulated illegal forest harvest and forest product trade globally, a genus-level listing will alleviate these difficulties.

17.56 - Add three African timber tree species to Appendix II

Proponent: The European Union and Gabon
Result: Amended proposal adopted

This proposal to list three timber-producing tree species, Guibourtia tessmannii, Guibourtia demeusei and Guibourtia demeusei on CITES Appendix II with the annotation previously accepted for the rosewood species was adopted by consensus. These species, which have been exploited in the historical past, are currently experiencing exponential increase in harvest levels as a result of growing demand for any timber which resembles species traditionally used for the Asian Hongmu furniture market.

17.57 - Add African rosewood to Appendix II

Proponent: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, European Union, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo
Result: Adopted

Canada joined consensus to list African rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus) on Appendix II without an annotation. Increasing demand for highly valued tropical wood (exported largely to China) is shifting unsustainable harvest pressures to new timber species and regions.

17.58 - Add baobab to Appendix II

Proponent: Madagascar
Result: Adopted

This proposal to include baobab in Appendix II for trade in seeds, fruits, oils and living
plants was adopted by consensus.

17.59 - Add Algerian fir to Appendix I

Proponent: Algeria
Result: Withdrawn

This proposal was withdrawn by the proponent.

17.60 -Amendment to the CITES annotation of agarwood in Appendix II

Proponent: United States of America
Result: Adopted

This proposal, resulting from the Standing Committee working group on Annotations to clarify the commodities of agarwood regulated by CITES (wood chips) was adopted by consensus. The annotation change will simplify the implementation of CITES by customs and enforcement officials.

17.61 - Add Natal ginger to Appendix II

Proponent: South Africa
Result: Adopted

This proposal to include wild ginger populations of Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe on Appendix II was adopted by consensus. Populations in the wild in South Africa have been impacted due to trade demand for traditional medicine.

17.62 - Amendment to the CITES annotation of holy wood in Appendix II

Proponent: United States of America
Result: Adopted

This proposal, resulting from the Standing Committee working group on Annotations to clarify which products of holy wood are regulated under CITES was adopted by consensus. The modifications will strengthen the implementation of the Convention and simplify the interpretation of CITES annotations by border and customs officials.