Abstract
Large wild herbivore species are important to ecosystems and human societies, but many of them are threatened and in decline. International wildlife treaties have a role to play in arresting and reversing these declines. This paper provides a global overview and analysis of relevant legal instruments and their roles regarding the conservation of the 73 largest terrestrial herbivores, i.e., those with a body mass of ≥ 100 kg. Outcomes reveal both significant positive contributions and shortcomings of the Ramsar Wetlands Convention, the World Heritage Convention, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the Convention on Migratory Species and its subsidiary instruments, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and a range of regional and bilateral treaties. Maximizing the potential of these treaties, and attaining their objectives regarding the conservation and restoration of large herbivores, requires substantial increases in funding and political will. Even before such game-changing increases occur, however, it remains worthwhile to seek and use the many opportunities that exist within the current international legal framework for enhancing the conservation of the world’s largest herbivores.
Highlights
The particular vulnerability of large-bodied wild animal species is reflected in the conservation status, population declines and range contractions of many such species (Cardillo et al 2005; Schipper et al 2008; Macdonald et al 2013; Moreno di Marco et al 2014; Ripple et al 2014, 2015, 2016)
Conservation professionals involved in large herbivore conservation have called for increased efforts to conserve and restore the remaining populations of these megafauna species, through a comprehensive range of approaches—including international wildlife treaties (Macdonald et al 2013; Ripple et al 2016)
Standard international law research methodology is used, involving the identification and analysis of relevant treaties and their interpretation according to the rules codified in the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (e.g., Bowman et al 2010; Trouwborst et al 2017a), informed by knowledge on the species concerned and their conservation needs from the conservation biology literature and other relevant disciplines
Summary
The particular vulnerability of large-bodied wild animal species is reflected in the conservation status, population declines and range contractions of many such species (Cardillo et al 2005; Schipper et al 2008; Macdonald et al 2013; Moreno di Marco et al 2014; Ripple et al 2014, 2015, 2016). Conservation professionals involved in large herbivore (and large carnivore) conservation have called for increased efforts to conserve and restore the remaining populations of these megafauna species, through a comprehensive range of approaches—including international wildlife treaties (Macdonald et al 2013; Ripple et al 2016). International wildlife treaties recognize the transboundary nature of many wildlife populations and of some of their threats They reflect the notion that biodiversity conservation—including of species that are not transboundary—is a ‘common concern of mankind’, as the preamble to the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) puts it. A global analysis published in 2015 assessed the role of international wildlife law with regard to the 31 Carnivora species (except pinnipeds) with an average adult body mass of 15 kilograms or more (Trouwborst 2015, using the same species selection as Ripple et al 2014). America EU Directive 92/43 on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (Habitats Directive) Protocol for the Implementation of the Alpine Convention relating to Nature Protection and Landscape Conservation Protocol to the SADC Treaty on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, revised version (Maputo Convention) East African Community Protocol on Environment and Natural Resource Management Protocol to the Carpathian Convention on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological and Landscape Diversity CMS instruments—treaties Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and their Habitats CMS instruments—memoranda of understanding MoU concerning Conservation and Restoration of the Bukhara Deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis) (MoU BD)
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