Animal Welfare in 2018: A Talk on Tackling African Wildlife Trade


Why We Recommend it
The Secretary-General of CITES gives the public an inside-look at the organisation’s work in tackling illegal wildlife trade in Africa, and critically reviews how effective it is.
Description
Hosted by the Royal Geographical Society, this talk gives the audience the chance to get to the heart of one of Africa’s darkest problems—illegal wildlife trade—as John Scalon, Secretary-General of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) 2010-2018, reflects on his work.
CITES, an international agreement between governments, entered into force on 1 July 1975 to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. As of today, it has a membership of 151 countries.
Appointed in 2010 by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to be Secretary-General of CITES, Scanlon introduced African Parks, a conservation non-profit which has pioneered a new public private partnership that aims to save wildlife at source, and oversaw two of CITES’ most successful Conferences of the Parties in 2013 in Bangkok and in 2016 in Johannesburg. In 2013, he received the International Environmental Law Award.
African Parks currently manages 15 national parks and protected areas in Africa, spanning 10.5 million hectares. And yet, is the method enough to curb the rampant problem? Is it applicable to pristine places outside of Africa as well?
Details
When: 5 Dec 2018 - 5 Dec 2018 Where: The Haven, 29/F, Wyndham Place – 40-44 Wyndham Street – Central