When you read this I will probably still be at the CITES 14th Conference of the Parties in The Hague. There are a few developments worth noting now.
The International Professional Hunters Association, IPHA, is proving its worth by sending two delegates this time. Debbie Peake of the Botswana
Management Association and Almut Kronsbein, the Executive Director of the Namibian Professional Hunters Association are attending on behalf of IPHA. These two professionals will gain experience that will benefit their associations and the whole hunting community for years to come. IPHA is an “International Observer,” as is Conservation Force. IPHA is a full “supporting organization” of Conservation Force. Conservation Force will hold a daily meeting to help coordinate and advise the two ladies. The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) is also sending a delegation, but it is an intergovernmental as well as international organization because of its more than 30 country members. The three organizations will coordinate closely throughout the meeting. Yours truly is a representative of all three.
Early news is that Tanzania has withdrawn its proposal to downlist and trade its elephant. That proposal may have changed the status quo, but that now is only speculation. The CITES Secretariat has recommended the US proposal to downlist the US bobcat in its public recommendations, which raises hopes that it will be downlisted.
