| Principal Investigator: | Professor Richard Griffiths |
|---|---|
| Project dates: | 1 April 2012 – 31 March 2016 |
| Funding: | Darwin Initiative: £254,788 |
| Collaborators: | Madagasikara Voakajy |
Madagascar is underachieving in its implementation of CITES. There is a concern that unless significant improvements are made, both the number of species and individuals exported will become so few as to jeopardize the potential wider benefits of the trade to conservation and livelihoods. In 2011, there were 141 Malagasy animal species on Appendix II of CITES and most had either been suspended from the trade (48 chameleons and 28 geckos) or had attracted scrutiny from the CITES Animals Committee (e.g. Mantella frogs, Uroplatus lizards), indicating actual or potential problems with the implementation of the convention. Moreover, CITES exports provide little benefits to local livelihoods or biodiversity conservation. This project focuses on CITES implementation in Madagascar, through dedicated support for the national Management and Scientific Authorities (Animals) and by developing an approach to delivering wider trade-related benefits for conservation and livelihoods.
