10 Most Wanted (page 1 of 2)

It is the only global treaty that regulates trade in threatened and endangered animals and plants; and is perhaps best known for helping reduce poaching of African elephants by banning ivory sales in 1989.

As delegates form 166 countries, including the UAE, prepare to head to Bangkok for the next CITES meeting (Oct 2 - 14, 2004), WWF released its biennial list of 10 of the world's most in-demand species bought, sold, smuggled, killed or captured for the global marketplace.

The humphead wrasse and ramin - a tree found in Asia - may not sound like the world's most desirable species, but they are in fact, among the most wanted internationally. According to WWF, the Asian fish and timber are so sought-after in some parts of the world that these two species have joined the ranks of wildlife most at risk from unregulated international trade.

"Our list this year reflects the varied nature of the modern wildlife trade," said Dr. Susan Lieberman, Director of the WWF Global Species Programme. "Although trade must be banned for some well-known endangered species, other more obscure species also suffer from unregulated trade. WWF is asking for lesser-known wildlife like the humphead wrasse - a fascinating tropical fish whose lips have spawned a dining trend - to be regulated to ensure it does not join the ranks of the magnificent tiger and Asian elephant, both on the verge of extinction."

This year's "10 most wanted species," based on threats from unsustainable trade and consumer demand, are:

Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus):
This bulbous-headed, coral reef fish is caught and displayed live in tanks for diners in East Asian restaurants. Demand has grown steadily for this delicacy which usually costs mores than 100 US dollars a kilo. The fish is being unsustainably harvested, and since it is rare and slow to reproduce, its populations are now suffering greatly.

Ramin (Gonystylus spp.):
This tropical hardwood from Indonesia and Malaysia is used to make mass-produced pool cues, moldings, doors and picture frames. Ramin grows largely in peat swamp forests, which are increasingly targeted by illegal loggers in search of the valuable wood, putting at risk endangered species that live in the forest- including tigers and orang-utans.

Tigers (Panthera tigris):
In the past century, the tiger's numbers have been reduced by 95 percent - with perhaps fewer than 5,000 tigers left in the wild. Among the biggest threats to the tiger are poaching for the trade in tiger skins, and bone for traditional Chinese medicines, as well as poaching of its prey species.

Great White Sharks (Carcharodon carcharias):
The largest of the predatory sharks, it is poached for its jaws, teeth, and fins, which collect high prices and are in demand worldwide. The great whites are also threatened because of bycatch in fishing gear, with those that survive often being killed for their parts.

Irrawaddy Dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris):
The biggest threat to this rare Asian dolphin is entanglement in fishing nets and injury from explosives used for dynamite fishing. There is also demand for the dolphin for display in zoos and aquariums, but the species is so endangered that even limited trade is detrimental to its survival.

Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus):
Poaching of elephants for ivory and meat remains a serious problem in many Asian countries, as does habitat loss.