Think before you buy

These workshops were targeted at the municipalities and governing bodies of each emirate; and concluded with one for select delegates to be trained as CITES trainers.

The goal was to create trainers who knew the material and could lead training sessions for other government and customs officials in the Arabic language.

This last workshop was deemed quite successful by the WWF (workshop organisers), the Geneva-based CITES Secretariat (workshop facilitators), and by those in attendance.

Just what is CITES
It is an international convention, which regulates trade in species of wild plants and animals. The UAE has been a member of CITES since May 1990.

Other regional members include Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. When a country becomes a member (known as a Party to the Convention), it agrees to regulate trade in CITES listed species so as to conserve the species and prevent them from becoming extinct in the wild due to trade.

These Parties recognise that the conservation of wild fauna and flora is of global concern, and that they have the responsibility to protect them. International cooperation is essential for the protection of certain wild species from over-exploitation through international trade because markets for various fauna and flora span the globe.

Poaching and smuggling of animals and plants is frequently driven by the prices in consumer countries. Therefore it is important for both producer and consumer countries to share the responsibility of protecting these species.

How we are affected by CITES
It is true that oftentimes plants and animals are bought, traded and smuggled into countries by unsuspecting tourists and individuals like us.

It is important to become familiar with what products are legal or illegal for importing. Purchasing wildlife souvenirs from overseas holidays could end up costing a lot more than what we had to pay for them.

It is against the law to buy certain wildlife products because it is, more often than not, commercial exploitation that threatens their survival in the wild. Some of these products come from sea turtles, elephants, reptiles, birds, corals, fishes, flowers and other wildlife.

It is important to think before buying, and double check that what we intend to buy is not endangering any local or exotic wildlife. If we do bring them into the country illegally, government and customs inspectors could seize these items and we could be fined and penalized.

Not all wildlife products are regulated through CITES, but it is important to know which ones are. If a product is from a plant or animal listed in CITES appendices then it may require an import or export permit to leave the country where it was purchased, and enter another country. Just because wildlife items are on sale in one country does not mean that they are legal to import into another.

Examples of CITES products and species:


• Any part or product made from sea turtle, black caiman, American crocodile, Orinoco crocodile, and Philippine crocodile. These include handbags, belts and shoes.


• Many lizard and snakeskin products from Central and South America, India and Nepal.


• Many live birds including parrots, macaws, cockatoos as well as wild bird feathers, mounted birds, and skins.


• Ivory carvings and jewelry made from elephant tusks.


• Ivory and scrimshaw products from whales, walruses, and narwhals


• Live primates and their products


• Spotted cat skin products and furs


• All sea turtle products


• Some corals and their products (jewelry, ornaments)


• Certain wild orchids, cacti and cycads

These are just some examples of the products and species listed in CITES. Purchase and trade in these could have a detrimental affect on the species in the wild.

Therefore, it is important for us to be aware and informed of what we buy and the implications associated with the purchase. Before we pull out our wallets, we must be aware that what we are buying could affect the very environment we have come to appreciate.

There are, however, many wild animal and plant products that come from sustainably managed populations and are perfectly legal to take out of the country with the proper permits. On the other hand, there may be products that have been made from endangered species or species taken illegally from the wild.

Leave live animals and plants in their natural, native habitats where they belong. As the saying goes, 'Leave only footprints, take only pictures'.