Agenda item 55: Tibetan antelope
WWF recommendations:
Range States
The Secretariat has noted that poaching continues to be a problem for the Tibetan antelope. WWF has also received anecdotal reports of increased market demand and poaching of Tibetan antelope since 2005, which is of great concern. Thus, WWF looks forward to hearing the report of the Secretariat’s recent enforcement mission to China and to the discussion of any potential recommendations aimed at:
- increasing or improving the effectiveness of anti-poaching enforcement efforts, and
- increasing enforcement efforts along trade routes for the product and at borders.
SC54 (October 2006) expressed concern regarding reports that Thailand’s domestic legislation might not be adequate to deal with cases of persons trading in shawls apparently made from Tibetan antelope. Thus SC54 requested Thailand to report to CoP14 on its enforcement of the Convention, particularly with regard to its progress in adopting new legislation, and in relation to the illicit trade in Tibetan antelope (Document 55 Rev 1 Annex 1).
WWF welcomes Thailand’s report which was made available as this document was going to print. Thus, at this point, WWF is unable to offer any comment on the progress reported by Thailand in Document 55 Annex 1, but we would urge the CoP to consider the report closely and to put forward recommendations for any further action required, by Thailand, the Standing Committee, or the Secretariat.
WWF also encourages other Parties with markets, or potential markets, for shahtoosh (Tibetan antelope wool) products to:
- avail themselves of the Secretariat’s offer to provide advice and skills to improve identification of the products in trade
- undertake consumer awareness activities to reduce demand for these products, and
- undertake enforcement action to address the illegal trade in these products.
