After a series of discussions in Campo Grande, Brazil, nations have agreed to enhance protections for 40 migratory animal species as they move across borders and habitats. Amy Fraenkel, the executive secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), highlighted the importance of extending safeguards to iconic species like cheetahs, snowy owls, giant otters, and great hammerhead sharks.
This marks the 15th gathering of countries under the UN treaty established in 1979, with Canada being the only nation yet to ratify the agreement. The newly added species will benefit from various levels of protection outlined in the treaty’s appendices, aimed at fostering collaboration to prevent species extinction and endangerment.
One common thread among these species is their global migratory nature, as they do not have a fixed habitat. For instance, snowy owls breed in the Canadian archipelago but travel across the Arctic, facing challenges like changing prey availability due to climate change. With their inclusion in Appendix II, countries are encouraged to work together on conservation strategies, as exemplified by Norway’s initiative to monitor and protect snowy owls.
Additionally, two types of hammerhead sharks have been listed, facing threats from industrial fishing activities that ensnare them either as bycatch or for the shark fin trade. Pelayo Salinas de León, a marine ecologist, emphasized the urgent need to protect these endangered species, now categorized under the more stringent Appendix I, which prohibits deliberate harvesting or capture.
The total number of species covered by the CMS appendices now exceeds 1,200, reflecting the growing global commitment to wildlife conservation. Despite criticisms of the CMS for its reliance on voluntary measures and limited funding, progress has been made, particularly in South America, where the recent meeting has led to the addition of several species to the protected list.
The hosting of the COP15 in Brazil facilitated the development of concrete proposals and regional cooperation, signaling the necessity of translating ambitions into tangible actions. This event, along with other conservation treaties like CITES, sheds light on the importance of safeguarding migratory species and their habitats. Looking ahead, the next meeting is scheduled for 2029 in Bonn, Germany, coinciding with the treaty’s 50th anniversary.