Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Definition

CITES is an international agreement between governments aimed at ensuring that international trade does not threaten the survival of wild animals and plants. It regulates the trade of certain species by listing them under different appendices based on their level of protection.

Analogy

Imagine CITES as a global traffic control system for wildlife trade. Just like traffic lights regulate vehicles' movement, CITES regulates which species can be traded internationally to prevent overexploitation.

Related terms

Red List: A list maintained by IUCN that identifies species facing high risk of extinction globally.

Wildlife trafficking: Illegal trade involving live animals or products derived from them, such as ivory, skins, or medicinal ingredients.

Appendix I/II/III species: Categories under which CITES lists different levels of protection for various plant and animal species.