A new WWF report published on Wednesday urges for additional and immediate measures to halt the worrying trend in illegal trafficking of CITES-listed species in the world’s most ecologically important places, including the World Heritage sites.
Known for their iconic beauty, geology, ecology and biodiversity, natural World Heritage sites across the globe support large populations of rare plant and animal species, including almost a third of the world’s remaining 3,890 wild tigers and 40 per cent of all African elephants, and function as the last refuge for critically endangered species such as Javan rhinos in Indonesia and vaquitas, the world’s smallest porpoise, endemic to Mexico’s Gulf of California.
Yet, despite their recognised value and protected status, illegal poaching, logging and fishing are rife in nearly 30 per cent of natural and mixed World Heritage sites, driving endangered species to the brink of extinction and putting the livelihoods and wellbeing of communities who depend on them at risk.
Illegal harvesting of species in World Heritage sites degrades vital social and economic benefits.
More than 90 per cent of natural World Heritage sites support recreation and tourism as well as provide jobs. Many of these benefits are dependent on the presence of CITES-listed species. Illegal harvesting also alters the natural ecosystem.
Around five per cent of the Sumatran tiger population was killed last year and if current levels of poaching and trade continue, tigers could disappear from the wild in Sumatra, leading to a reduced incentive to protect forests and resulting in further wide-scale deforestation for palm oil plantations.
Last year, WWF launched a global campaign, Together Saving Our Shared Heritage, to safeguard World Heritage sites by strengthening the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and pushing businesses to comply with the highest standards of responsible business conduct.
A WWF report found nearly half of all natural World Heritage sites were under threat from harmful industrial activities, like mining, oil and gas drilling, and construction of large-scale infrastructure.
WWF Malaysia