USFWS International Affairs

11/25/2022

Illegal harvesting for meat consumption and the pet trade remain the main threats for musk turtles. Today, CITES Parties adopted by consensus to include musk turtles (Sternotherus species) in CITES Appendix II. This will ensure future international trade in musk turtles will be evaluated to determine it is legal and biologically sustainable.

During 2013-2019, almost 1.5 million live Sternotherus turtles were exported from the United States, with the majority of specimens (60.1 percent) sourced from the wild and exported to East Asia for commercial purposes. Without a complete picture of the population size of these species, it is difficult to determine if this level of harvest and export is biologically sustainable.

Musk turtles are native to the freshwaters of North America, ranging from southeastern Canada to southeastern Florida. Their preferred habitat is slow-moving, permanent, freshwater with soft substrates for burrowing, and fallen trees, overhanging banks, and submerged logs and rocks for shelter and basking.

The name of this turtle refers to the musky smell they secrete from two glandular openings on each side of their body near their carapace. These small aquatic turtles rarely leave the water, though some emerge to bask.

Photo: Musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) by Leah/ CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

11/25/2022

Today, protection for three kinds of softshell turtles native to the United States, Canada, and Mexico has been adopted by consensus. The Parties have agreed to transfer the genus Apalone spp. from Appendix III to Appendix II.

Biological and life history traits make these species highly vulnerable to exploitation. The growing demand is troublesome because the turtle trade follows a boom-and-bust pattern in which exploitation in one species shifts to another when the former becomes so depleted that it is no longer commercially exploited or when it becomes subject to stricter regulations.

For example, softshell turtle species in Asia were overharvested, leading to population loss and the implementation of stricter trade regulations in 2013. Exploitation then shifted to African softshell turtles until they too required stricter trade regulations in 2016. This pattern may continue with North American species, and data collected since their inclusion in Appendix III suggest this may be the case. The U.S. worked with Asian countries (CoP16) and African countries (CoP17) to protect all softshell turtles.

Softshell turtles are found in rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs, and often bury themselves in the mud or sand where they sleep or wait for food to swim by. Unlike most other turtles, softshell turtles have flat, leathery shells that are flexible, rather than hard and rigid. Some compare their appearance to a pancake. These aquatic turtles are well adapted for the water, with webbed feet, long necks, and tubular snouts that resemble a snorkel.

While these species can be bred in captivity, they are easily caught and trapped in the wild, thereby making wild populations vulnerable to over-exploitation.

Photo: Smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica) by Sam Stukel, USFWS.

11/25/2022

Today, at CITES CoP19, the Parties adopted by consensus the proposal co-submitted by Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, and the United States, to include mud turtle species Kinosternon cora and K. vogti in Appendix I and all other mud turtle species (Kinosternon spp.) in Appendix II.

The 22 species of mud turtles are distributed in 21 countries, ranging from the United States to Argentina and Paraguay.

Mud turtles face a particularly high risk of extinction due to growing human-caused stressors, including the degradation and destruction of suitable habitat, overexploitation – for consumption, arts and curios, and the pet trade, invasive species, pollution, and climate change.

The United States plays a significant role in the international trade of mud turtles, and unsustainable and at times illegal trade is a major concern. By providing mud turtles with additional protection through CITES, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure legal and biologically sustainable trade.

Photos: Mud turtle (Kinosternon spp.) by Melody Ray-Culp, USFWS. Yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) by Mark Watson/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

11/25/2022

At CITES CoP19, Parties adopted the United States’ proposal to transfer the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) and the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) from Appendix III to Appendix II to provide the species with increased protection.

These ancient reptiles are primitive in appearance, characterized by a large head, long tail, and a powerful upper jaw with a strong hooked beak. Males can weigh more than 200 pounds, while females top out around 60 pounds. Snapping turtles are rarely seen on land.

The alligator snapping turtle is found only in river systems in the U.S. that flow into the Gulf of Mexico, from the Suwanee River in Florida west to the San Antonio River in Texas.

The primary threats to the alligator snapping turtle are bycatch associated with commercial fishing, habitat alteration, nest predation, and both the legal and illegal harvest — including for export. They are traded commercially in high numbers, with trade driven largely by demand for turtle meat in East Asia.

Hatchlings of the two species are difficult to distinguish from one another. Different states have different conservation and trade management strategies. Fragmented approaches make it easier for trafficking and unsustainable trade to continue, putting turtles at risk of extinction. The CITES Appendix II listing – confirmed today -- will complement U.S. state management efforts, reduce the risk of overharvesting, and support sustainable use and legal trade in U.S. native turtles.

Read more at http://ow.ly/ScY150LNJXG

11/24/2022

If the population of a species declines by nearly 50 percent each year, how long will it persist? The answer depends on whether we intervene. Today, at the 19th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES ), Parties adopted a decision for strict enforcement of the gillnet ban in the Upper Gulf of California to save Mexico's endemic porpoise — and the world’s most endangered marine mammal — from imminent extinction.

You can learn more at: http://ow.ly/x58t50LNbLY

Photo: A vaquita mother (right) and her calf (left) can be seen as they surface in blue waters, by Paula Olson NOAA.

11/23/2022

Good news at CITES ! The Committee recommended by consensus increased protection for Rhodiola genus by inclusion in Appendix II. This proposal was co-sponsored by the European Union and the United States, and submitted by the European Union.

Rhodiola is a diverse genus of perennial herbs with a wide distribution spanning across the northern hemisphere. Although species within the genus are found across a wide altitudinal range, they are commonly associated with subarctic and alpine areas.

Members of the genus are generally long-lived and slow growing, sometimes taking 20 years to reach maturity in the wild. The horizontal underground stems (or rhizomes) of some species of Rhodiola, known as “roseroot”, have historically been part of traditional medicine systems across most of the genus’ range.

In addition, harvest is focused on reproductively mature individuals, so commercial levels of exploitation have an increased potential to impact long-term population viability.

End products include cosmetics, teas, capsules, and tinctures. Although artificial propagation of Rhodiola species is possible, the current scale is small and there are few commercial growers.

Learn more about Rhodiola and our other CITES CoP19 Spotlight Species at: https://www.fws.gov/cites/spotlight-species

Photos: Rhodiola rhodanthum by Bryant Olsen, CC BY-NC 2.0. Rhodiola integrifolia by Patrick Alexander, CC0 1.0. Rhodiola rosea growing by Apollonio Tottoli, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Rhodiola rosea by S. Rae/CC BY 2.0.

11/23/2022

Huge win at CITES CoP19: the Committee just recommended by consensus the inclusion of glass frogs (Centrolenidae spp.) in Appendix II. This proposal was co-sponsored by Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cote d’lvoire, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Gabon, Guinea, Niger, Panama, Peru, Togo, and the United States.

Glass frogs are charismatic species with large eyes. These medium-sized frogs have unique transparent skin on their underside. When looking at them from below, you can see their bones and internal organs – including their beating heart! Unfortunately, this uniqueness has made them desirable as pets. International trade adds to the numerous threats glass frogs already face, including habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, invasive species, and emerging infectious diseases.

In the United States, demand for glass frogs in the pet trade has increased exponentially, from 13 live individuals imported in 2016 to 5,744 individuals in 2021.

Glass frogs are critical species in riverine food webs and are indicators of ecosystem health. They also form part of the ecological groups that keep insect populations under control, including those that can transmit diseases to humans, such as malaria, zika, and dengue.

Learn more about glass frogs and other CITES CoP19 Spotlight Species at: https://www.fws.gov/cites/spotlight-species 🐸

11/22/2022

How do you ship a shark between countries?

Very carefully, but also according to regulations for humane transport of live specimens, which are required by CITES. Read more about the proposal (co-sponsored by the U.S.) to improve access and implementation of these regulations: http://ow.ly/eztX50LKT64

Photo: A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Inspector examines a live animal shipment. Office of Law Enforcement, USFWS.

11/22/2022

Happy at CITES CoP19! We need to take action today to sustain our turtle populations for future generations. Like this young supporter as he tells us what to support ("turtle!").

Happy at CITES CoP19! We need to take action today to sustain our turtle populations for future generations. Like this young supporter as he tells us what to support ("turtle!").

The United States put forth five proposals on U.S. native freshwater turtles for consideration at CoP19 — including a total of 36 species. One of these is the alligator snapping turtle — considered by some as dinosaurs of the turtle world.

Turtles may not fall into the "charismatic megafauna" category, but it's clear that for some species, demand is very high and they are at risk of being "loved to death." Between 2013 and 2019, for example, nearly 1.5 million live musk turtles (genus Sternotherus) were exported from the United States, with the majority of specimens sourced from the wild. In a similar timeframe, more than 200,000 alligator snapping turtles and more than 700,000 common snapping turtles were exported from the U.S. Most of these turtles were destined for Southeast Asia and Europe.

We know that turtles face unique challenges. Thankfully, CITES can help: http://ow.ly/yuaJ50LKSsg

11/22/2022

Congratulations to Special Agents Paul Montuori and Ryan Bessey with the Service’s Office of Law Enforcement and Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors with DOJ! They were each awarded a Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award, presented annually to a selection of courageous individuals who have gone beyond the call of duty in their commitment to combating wildlife crime.

The awards were presented during a reception at CITES COP19.

Learn about their work in stopping individuals and organizations who engaged in the illicit trafficking of thousands of turtle species, orangutans, elephants, pangolins, hornbills, reptiles, scorpions, tarantulas, sharks, and other wildlife parts and products protected by CITES and the Endangered Species Act.

Read the full story at: http://ow.ly/bLml50LKP0b

Photos: Service Director Martha Williams accepted the award — a sculpture of a jaguar mounted on a burlwood base — on behalf of Montuori, and Senior Wildlife Inspectors Rhyan Tompkins and Jennifer Irving accepted the awards on behalf of Bessey and Connors. By Frank Kohn, USFWS.

11/21/2022

In the 1960s, the American alligator was nearing extinction. Twenty years later, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the American alligator from the endangered species list. Thanks to collaborative efforts by the Service and state partners, populations had rebounded across its range, and the species was thriving.

Notably, the market for American alligator skins was thriving as well.

How is that possible?

Check out our story: "What Happens to Species on CITES Appendix II? See: American Alligator" at http://ow.ly/2VMU50LKgOP

Photo: American alligator by Robert H. Burton, USFWS.

11/21/2022

The second and final week of CITES CoP19 is underway! We look forward to sharing important outcomes of important decisions with you. Last week, the first of 14 U.S.-sponsored or co-sponsored species proposals was voted upon by Parties and recommended for adoption: to include all Thelenota species of sea cucumbers in Appendix II.

The three Thelenota species are different from other sea cucumber species, partly due to their large papillae or protuberances. Thelenota is a genus of widely distributed sea cucumbers commercially exploited for consumption and threatened by the international beche-de-mer trade (the product after gutting, cooking, salting, and drying sea cucumbers).

These sea cucumbers play an extremely important role in maintaining the health of coral reef ecosystems in the Indo-Pacific region, including regulation of water quality, nutrient recycling, and promotion of productivity and biological diversity.

As some of the highest-value sea cucumber species in international trade, these animals continue to be widely exploited, primarily to meet demand for the luxury food market but also because of their perceived unique biological and pharmaceutical or cosmetic properties. The Appendix II listing proposed by the European Union, Seychelles, and the United States and voted for adoption at CoP19 (final decision at Plenary), will provide transparency to this trade and ensure specimens entering international trade are acquired sustainably and legally and will not be detrimental to the species' survival.

Photos: Full shots of a red-lined sea cucumber, and a giant sea cucumber on the ocean floor courtesy of Bernard Dupont, CC BY-SA 2.0.

11/21/2022

Unfortunately, turtle species that have endured for millennia are experiencing drastic population declines today. On top of habitat loss, climate change, and car strikes when crossing roads, turtles face growing threats from the wildlife trade.

Between 2013 and 2019, more than 200,000 alligator snapping turtles and more than 700,000 common snapping turtles were exported from the U.S., most destined for Southeast Asia and Europe for use as food or traditional medicine.

As of now, different states in the U.S. have different conservation- and trade-management strategies in place for turtle species that are sought after for human use. This inconsistent and fragmented approach makes it easy for people to exploit the trade, putting turtles at risk of extinction.

"Ancient Reptiles Need Modern Regulations: The Case for Including U.S. Turtles on CITES Appendix II" Read the short article at http://ow.ly/QLN650LJEIw

11/16/2022

African elephants once roamed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with as many as 26 million during the 16th century. Today, they are protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, with only around 415,000 remaining across the African continent.

In response to recent conservation threats, proposes amending a Section 4(d) rule of the Endangered Species Act for African elephants: http://ow.ly/XgUc50LFUWo

The 4(d) rule has been amended four times. Whereas the last amendment was in response to increased poaching for ivory, these recent proposed changes are in response to the rise in international trade of live African elephants.

The proposed changes aim to benefit African elephants in 3 main areas by:

✅ Helping to ensure any imports of live African elephants to the U.S. contribute to enhancing the species’ conservation and that live African elephants are well cared for throughout their lifetimes.

✅ Clarifying the existing enhancement requirement for the import of sport-hunted African elephant trophies to enable more efficient evaluations of permit applications and help ensure authorized imports contribute to enhancing the species’ conservation.

✅ Restricting African elephant imports to countries that have met the basic requirements to implement CITES to encourage governments to effectively implement CITES and enhance elephant conservation, while also improving the permitting process.



Photos by Michelle Gadd, Joe Milmoe, Michelle Gadd, and Cyndi-Perry with USFWS.

11/15/2022

You probably think of turtles as "slow and steady." But did you know turtles are also slow to reproduce? It can take up to 17 years for a common snapping turtle to reach sexual maturity and start laying eggs. and most of its young don't survive. They are bite-sized snacks for predators.

Adult turtle often must reproduce for their entire lives to ensure just one hatchling makes it to reproductive age as well. Turtles cannot afford unchecked losses. That's why the U.S. is supporting a CITES Appendix II listing for several species of North American freshwater turtles to reduce the risk of overharvesting, and support sustainable use and legal trade in U.S. native turtles. Read more at: http://ow.ly/1hTL50LE2f7

11/15/2022

The 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP19) is officially underway! Read more in our most recent blog: http://ow.ly/LYHw50LEgy1

Photos: Performers in an inaugural cultural presentation featuring traditional Panamanian music, dance, and costumes representing Central American animals. Credit: Heidi Ruffler/USFWS

11/14/2022

The United States, as a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), will attend the nineteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP19) in Panama City, Panama, November 14-25, 2022.

The tentative U.S. negotiating positions are now available for proposed resolutions, decisions, and amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals), as well as other agenda items submitted by other Parties, the permanent CITES committees, and the CITES Secretariat for consideration at CoP19.

For further updates about CoP19, please visit our website at https://www.fws.gov/cites/cites-cop19

10/26/2022

We're counting down to the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to ! Just 19 days to go. Get up to speed in our latest blog with some background on how the Convention works, visit: http://ow.ly/biIx50LlPxt

10/07/2022

International Wildlife Trafficker Charged in the Southern District of New York: Teo Boon Ching, also known as “Godfather,” was charged for participating in a conspiracy to traffic more than 70 kilograms of rhinoceros horns that involved the illegal poaching of numerous rhinoceros. Thanks to the work of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents, federal partners, and the Royal Thai Police, this trafficker was extradited to the U.S. to be prosecuted for his crimes. Read the full story in a media release issued by The United States Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/us-attorney-announces-extradition-malaysian-national-large-scale-trafficking-rhinoceros

Photo: Black rhinoceros. Credit: Meenakshi Nagendran/USFWS

09/22/2022

Today is World Rhino Day 🦏! While most rhino populations continue to decline due to poaching and habitat loss, two species can potentially provide ideas to help more rhinos in the future.

Population numbers for the critically endangered black rhino in Africa and the greater one-horned rhino in India are increasing.

Through the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund, FWS supports direct rhino field conservation efforts. This story looks at one of India's critical efforts: new wildlife corridors connecting many protected areas and expanding the wildlife's safe passage, range, and survival ability.

You can read more details here: http://ow.ly/WrSL50KQIJG

09/21/2022

Nepal's tiger numbers have climbed from 121 in 2009 to 355 in 2022. That makes Nepal the only tiger range state so far to achieve the goal of doubling tiger numbers by 2022 -- a goal agreed upon by all 13 tiger range states in 2010.

Nepal has more than doubled their tiger population since 2010. What can we learn from their methods?

You can read their story at: http://ow.ly/F87I50KOtqr

09/07/2022

Today is International Manatee Day. Manatees (genus Trichechus) includes three species and two subspecies: The Amazonian manatee (T. inunguis), the African manatee (T. senegalensis), and the West Indian manatee (T. manatus) [subspecies are the Antillean manatee (T. m. manatus), and the Florida manatee (T. m. latirostris)]. All species are listed on CITES Appendix I and all species are protected under the ESA.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is making a concerted effort in conserving these species within the nation’s waters and international waters. Including through the International Affairs Program:

In the United States, we have worked with many partners within Florida and nearby states, primarily through the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, to address the unusual mortality events that have affected Florida manatees since 2020. The majority of these cases are starvation and considering that manatees normally eat over 10% of their body weight in food every day, this has led to the establishment of a feeding station and rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts.

In West and Central Africa, we have supported a network of manatee conservationists through our MENTOR-Manatee Fellowship program. One of the graduates of this program, Dr. Aristide Takoukam Kamla, is President and Founder of the African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization - AMMCO in Cameroon and is making great strides in implementing innovative work on African manatees and marine conservation in Cameroon.

We are grateful to our partners for their work to protect these amazing species, and wish our readers a Happy International Manatee Day!

09/02/2022

Have information are about snapping turtles or maybe the international conservation of seahorses? What about big cats, elephants, and rhinoceroses?

Then we welcome your input.

As the U.S. implementing authority for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), we are preparing for the 19th regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP19) in November.

We are holding a virtual public meeting September 6, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. This meeting will give the public an opportunity to provide comments to be used in the development of U.S. negotiating positions for CoP19.

CITES is a global treaty that seeks to ensure that international trade in listed plants and animals does not threaten their survival in the wild, and the CoP is where the countries come together to tackle many issues around how the treaty is working, and the plants and animals protected under it.

The CoP19 provisional agenda is now public, and our International Affairs staff is working with partners to develop the U.S. negotiating positions on the issues to be discussed in November. That means we are looking for input on proposed resolutions, decisions, and amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals) submitted by other Parties, the permanent CITES committees, and the CITES Secretariat for consideration at CoP19.

If you would like to attend the virtual public meeting, you must register at ow.ly/gGej50Ky7l0