Around 2000 representatives from 178 governments, and many businesses and organisations (including a team from WDC) have gathered in Bangkok, Thailand for the CITES Conference (Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which opened on 3rd March.

The meetings, which take place every three years, aim to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Over the next 12 days, those present will debate 71 proposals to boost global protection for wildlife and flora, including overfishing, illegal logging and wildlife crime.