The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is an essential international treaty that oversees the global trade of endangered species. With 185 signatories, India joined CITES in 1976, committing to regulate the trade of wildlife. Each member nation, including India, is required to establish its own Management and Scientific Authorities to oversee compliance.
In February 2025, the CITES Standing Committee raised alarms concerning live animal imports with Purpose Code Z (zoo) directed to the Greens Zoological Rescue & Rehabilitation Center (GZRRC) in Gujarat. The Committee initiated a verification mission to assess how Indian authorities ensure that wildlife imports adhere to CITES regulations.
The inspection, conducted in September 2025, included visits to:
This mission aimed to evaluate India's compliance with CITES rules regarding the acquisition and import of live wildlife.
The mission confirmed that all imports of live animals possessed valid CITES permits. Nevertheless, it raised serious concerns regarding:
CITES specifically warned about the risk of “illegal harvest of wild animals later declared as captive bred.”
According to India’s Wildlife Protection Act, zoos can only trade with recognized facilities. Consequently, many imports were classified under:
However, numerous exporting entities were commercial breeding facilities rather than accredited zoos, raising concerns about compliance with both Indian laws and CITES guidelines.
Some animals were imported as “captive bred” from nations not recognized for such breeding programs. For instance, wild-caught elephants were allegedly labeled as captive-bred and imported from Burkina Faso via Tunisia. Additionally, documentation from countries like the Czech Republic and Germany conflicted with India's records, prompting requests for clarification.
CITES has urged India to enhance transparency and verification mechanisms to deter illegal wildlife trade disguised as captive breeding. The organization recommended a temporary suspension of imports of critically endangered species—including gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and snow leopards—until more robust due diligence and control measures are in place.
Moreover, CITES suggested that India cross-verify all wildlife imports with the relevant source or transit countries, such as Congo, Germany, and Guyana. India must ascertain whether imported animals were genuinely captive-bred and take corrective actions in accordance with CITES guidelines.
Q1. What is CITES?
Answer: CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, regulates international trade in endangered wildlife and plants to ensure their survival.
Q2. Why did CITES urge India to suspend wildlife imports?
Answer: CITES urged India to suspend imports due to concerns over compliance, verification issues, and the risk of illegal wildlife trade being disguised as captive breeding.
Q3. What are the Purpose Codes related to wildlife imports?
Answer: Purpose Codes classify the intended use of imported species. Code Z indicates animals intended for zoos, while other codes may represent different uses like research or conservation.
Q4. What measures did CITES recommend for India?
Answer: CITES recommended improving transparency, implementing stronger verification mechanisms, and temporarily suspending imports of critically endangered species until compliance measures are enhanced.
Q5. What challenges were noted during the CITES inspection in India?
Answer: The inspection revealed issues related to the true origin of imported animals, the accuracy of source codes, and potential violations of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Question 1: What does CITES stand for?
A) Conservation of International Trade in Endangered Species
B) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
C) Council of International Trade in Endangered Species
D) Committee on International Trade in Endangered Species
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which of the following is NOT a Purpose Code used in wildlife imports?
A) Z
B) C
C) A
D) T
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: What was one major concern raised by the CITES mission in India?
A) Animals were imported without permits
B) The true origin of imported animals
C) The number of zoos in India
D) The cost of wildlife imports
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What recommendation did CITES make regarding critically endangered species?
A) Increase imports
B) Conduct more breeding programs
C) Temporarily suspend imports
D) Allow imports without verification
Correct Answer: C
Question 5: Which countries were mentioned for cross-verification of wildlife imports?
A) USA and Canada
B) Congo, Germany, and Guyana
C) Australia and New Zealand
D) Brazil and Argentina
Correct Answer: B
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