Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT)

by

The Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) is a coalition of organizations working to combat wildlife trafficking. CAWT’s subtopics include:

  • Avian Trafficking
  • Bushmeat
  • CITES
  • Elephants
  • Endangered Species
  • Fishing
  • Forests
  • Fur
  • Giraffes
  • Illegal Wildlife Trade
  • Ivory
  • Marine Mammals
  • Rhinos
  • Sea Turtles
  • Sharks
  • Tigers
  • Tortoises
  • Ungulates
  • Wildlife Crime
  • Wildlife Trade

CAWT works to combat wildlife trafficking through a variety of initiatives, including:

  • Advocacy
  • Education
  • Investigations
  • Law Enforcement
  • Research
  • Rehabilitation
  • Restitution
  • Sustainable Livelihoods

CAWT is a member of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).
The Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) is a coalition of organizations working to combat wildlife trafficking. CAWT’s subtopics include:

  • Avian Trafficking
  • Bushmeat
  • CITES
  • Elephants
  • Endangered Species
  • Fishing
  • Forests
  • Fur
  • Giraffes
  • Illegal Wildlife Trade
  • Ivory
  • Marine Mammals
  • Rhinos
  • Sea Turtles
  • Sharks
  • Tigers
  • Tortoises
  • Ungulates
  • Wildlife Crime
  • Wildlife Trade

CAWT works to combat wildlife trafficking through a variety of initiatives, including:

  • Advocacy
  • Education
  • Investigations
  • Law Enforcement
  • Research
  • Rehabilitation
  • Restitution
  • Sustainable Livelihoods

CAWT is a member of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).

Avian Trafficking

Avian trafficking is the illegal trade of birds and their parts. It is a major threat to bird populations around the world. Birds are trafficked for a variety of reasons, including the pet trade, the traditional medicine trade, and the food trade.

The pet trade is the largest driver of avian trafficking. Millions of birds are taken from the wild each year to be sold as pets. This trade is particularly harmful to parrots and other birds that are difficult to breed in captivity.

The traditional medicine trade is another major driver of avian trafficking. Birds are killed for their feathers, bones, and other body parts, which are used in traditional medicines. This trade is particularly harmful to birds that are considered to be sacred or lucky, such as the golden pheasant.

The food trade is also a driver of avian trafficking. Birds are killed for their meat, which is eaten in some cultures. This trade is particularly harmful to birds that are considered to be a delicacy, such as the black stork.

Avian trafficking is a serious threat to bird populations around the world. It is estimated that millions of birds are trafficked each year. This trade is driving many bird species to extinction.

Bushmeat

Bushmeat is the meat of wild animals that are hunted for food. It is a major source of protein for people living in rural areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However, bushmeat hunting is also a major threat to wildlife populations.

Bushmeat hunting is often unsustainable. Animals are often killed in large numbers, which can lead to population declines. In some cases, entire species have been driven to extinction by bushmeat hunting.

Bushmeat hunting also contributes to the spread of disease. Animals that are killed for bushmeat can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. This is a particular concern with diseases such as Ebola and HIV/AIDS.

Bushmeat hunting is a serious threat to wildlife populations and human health. It is important to find sustainable ways to meet the demand for bushmeat. This could include promoting the consumption of farmed meat or developing alternative sources of protein.

CITES

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. CITES was adopted in 1973 and has been ratified by 183 countries.

CITES regulates the trade of over 35,000 species of animals and plants. Species are listed on three appendices, depending on the level of threat they face. Appendix I includes species that are threatened with extinction and all trade in these species is prohibited. Appendix II includes species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but which may become so if trade is not regulated. Trade in Appendix II species is allowed, but only with a permit. Appendix III includes species that are protected by at least one country, which has asked CITES to help regulate international trade in these species.

CITES is a valuable tool for protecting wildlife. It has helped to reduce the illegal trade in many species, including elephants, rhinos, and tigers. However, CITES is not without its challenges. Enforcement of CITES regulations can be difficult, and the illegal trade in wildlife continues to be a major problem.

Elephants

Elephants are the largest land mammals on Earth. They are found in Africa and Asia. Elephants are herbivores and eat a variety of plants. They are social animals and live in herds.

Elephants are threatened by poaching and habitat loss. Poachers kill elephants for their ivory tusks, which are used to make
Avian Trafficking

  • What is avian trafficking?
    Avian trafficking is the illegal trade of birds and their parts. It is a major threat to bird populations around the world.
  • What are the main reasons for avian trafficking?
    The main reasons for avian trafficking are the demand for exotic birds as pets, the use of birds in traditional medicine, and the use of birds in the pet food industry.
  • What are the impacts of avian trafficking?
    The impacts of avian trafficking are devastating. It can lead to the extinction of species, the loss of genetic diversity, and the disruption of ecosystems.
  • What can be done to stop avian trafficking?
    There are a number of things that can be done to stop avian trafficking. These include:

    • Increasing public awareness of the issue
    • Strengthening law enforcement
    • Supporting sustainable livelihoods for people who live in areas where birds are threatened by trafficking

Bushmeat

  • What is bushmeat?
    Bushmeat is the meat of wild animals that are hunted for food. It is a major source of protein for millions of people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
  • What are the main reasons for bushmeat hunting?
    The main reasons for bushmeat hunting are poverty, the demand for bushmeat as a luxury food, and the use of bushmeat in traditional medicine.
  • What are the impacts of bushmeat hunting?
    The impacts of bushmeat hunting are devastating. It can lead to the extinction of species, the loss of genetic diversity, and the disruption of ecosystems.
  • What can be done to stop bushmeat hunting?
    There are a number of things that can be done to stop bushmeat hunting. These include:

    • Increasing public awareness of the issue
    • Strengthening law enforcement
    • Supporting sustainable livelihoods for people who live in areas where bushmeat is hunted

CITES

  • What is CITES?
    CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is an international agreement that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
  • What are the main goals of CITES?
    The main goals of CITES are to:

    • Ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival
    • Promote the conservation of wild animals and plants
    • Promote the sustainable use of wild animals and plants
  • What are the main provisions of CITES?
    The main provisions of CITES are:

    • A list of species that are threatened with extinction and that are therefore subject to strict international trade controls
    • A system of permits and certificates that must be obtained before specimens of these species can be traded internationally
    • A system of national authorities that are responsible for implementing CITES in each country

Elephants

  • What are the main threats to elephants?
    The main threats to elephants are poaching, habitat loss, and conflict with humans.
  • What are the impacts of poaching?
    The impacts of poaching are devastating. It can lead to the extinction of species, the loss of genetic diversity, and the disruption of ecosystems.
  • What can be done to stop poaching?
    There are a number of things that can be done to stop poaching. These include:

    • Increasing public awareness of the issue
    • Strengthening law enforcement
    • Supporting sustainable livelihoods for people who live in areas where elephants are threatened by poaching

Endangered Species

  • What is an endangered species?
    An endangered species is a species that is at risk of extinction. This means that there are very few individuals left of the species and that the population is declining.
  • What are the main threats to endangered species?
    The main threats to endangered species are habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal wildlife trade.
  • What can be done to protect endangered species?
    There are a number of things that can be done to protect endangered species. These include:

    • Creating protected areas for endangered species
    • Cracking down on poaching and the illegal wildlife trade
    • Raising public awareness of the issue

Fishing

  • What is fishing?
    Fishing is the activity of catching fish. It is a major source of food and income for millions of people around the world.
  • What are the main threats to fish populations?
    The main threats to fish populations are overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution.
  • What are the impacts of overfishing?
    The impacts of overfishing are devastating. It can lead to the extinction of species, the loss of genetic diversity, and the disruption of ecosystems.

  • What can be done to stop overfishing?
    There are a number of things that can be done to stop overfishing. These include:

    • Implementing catch limits
    • Creating marine protected areas
    • Reducing pollution
      The Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) is a coalition of organizations working to combat wildlife trafficking. CAWT’s subtopics include:

  • Avian Trafficking

  • Bushmeat
  • CITES
  • Elephants
  • Endangered Species
  • Fishing
  • Forests
  • Fur
  • Giraffes
  • Illegal Wildlife Trade
  • Ivory
  • Marine Mammals
  • Rhinos
  • Sea Turtles
  • Sharks
  • Tigers
  • Tortoises
  • Ungulates
  • Wildlife Crime
  • Wildlife Trade

CAWT works to combat wildlife trafficking through a variety of initiatives, including:

  • Advocacy
  • Education
  • Investigations
  • Law Enforcement
  • Research
  • Rehabilitation
  • Restitution
  • Sustainable Livelihoods

CAWT is a member of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).

Here are some multiple choice questions about CAWT:

  1. What is CAWT?
    (A) A coalition of organizations working to combat wildlife trafficking
    (B) A law enforcement agency that investigates wildlife crimes
    (C) A non-profit organization that provides education and support to victims of wildlife trafficking
    (D) A government agency that regulates the trade of wildlife

  2. What are some of the subtopics that CAWT works on?
    (A) Avian Trafficking, Bushmeat, CITES, Elephants, Endangered Species, Fishing, Forests, Fur, Giraffes, Illegal Wildlife Trade, Ivory, Marine Mammals, Rhinos, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Tigers, Tortoises, Ungulates, Wildlife Crime, Wildlife Trade
    (B) Advocacy, Education, Investigations, Law Enforcement, Research, Rehabilitation, Restitution, Sustainable Livelihoods
    (C) Both (A) and (B)
    (D) None of the above

  3. What are some of the initiatives that CAWT works on?
    (A) Advocacy, Education, Investigations, Law Enforcement, Research, Rehabilitation, Restitution, Sustainable Livelihoods
    (B) CITES, Elephants, Endangered Species, Fishing, Forests, Fur, Giraffes, Illegal Wildlife Trade, Ivory, Marine Mammals, Rhinos, Sea Turtles, Sharks, Tigers, Tortoises, Ungulates, Wildlife Crime, Wildlife Trade
    (C) Both (A) and (B)
    (D) None of the above

  4. What is the ICCWC?
    (A) The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime
    (B) A law enforcement agency that investigates wildlife crimes
    (C) A non-profit organization that provides education and support to victims of wildlife trafficking
    (D) A government agency that regulates the trade of wildlife

  5. Is CAWT a member of the ICCWC?
    (A) Yes
    (B) No
    (C) I don’t know

Answers:
1. (A)
2. (C)
3. (A)
4. (A)
5. (A)