U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Finding on Status of Broad-snouted Caiman

• Published in: M2 Presswire
• Format: Newsletter
• Language: English
• Published: Coventry Normans Media Ltd 06.01.2012
• Subjects: Climate change; Endangered & extinct species; Environmental protection; Extinction; Population; Trade restrictions; Wildlife conservation

The Service proposes to establish the Argentina population of the broad-snouted caiman as a distinct population segment (DPS) of this species. Intense management of the species in Argentina has brought the Argentina DPS to the point where a change in status is appropriate. The Service also proposes the Argentina population of broad-snouted caiman be included in the special rule for trade in crocodilian species. Inclusion in this special rule would allow trade in broad-snouted caiman parts and products originating from Argentina only. On November 5, 2007, the Service received a petition from the Government of Argentina to reclassify the broad-snouted caiman in Argentina from endangered to threatened. This species has been listed under the ESA as endangered throughout its range since June 14, 1976. The primary factor leading to the listing of the broad-snouted caiman species under the ESA was overutilization for the skin trade. In its analysis, the Service found fewer threats to the species in the wild in Argentina; however, the Service finds the DPS is still threatened by the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range. The downlisting threatened determination for Argentina is based on the following information: The population is widespread throughout its historic range in Argentina, and it is found in comparable densities relative to other species of crocodilians. Enforcement of existing national and international laws and treaties has minimized the potential impact of trade in Argentina. The downlisting of this DPS from endangered to threatened in Argentina would not change the endangered status of the species in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, or elsewhere where it would remain fully protected by the ESA. In addition, this species is also listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in all range countries except Argentina. CITES is an international agreement to regulate global trade in certain wild animals and plants that are, or could become, threatened with extinction due to commercial trade. Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction and restricts commercial trade in listed species. In 1997, the Argentina population was downlisted to CITES Appendix II. Appendix II species are those which are not necessarily now threatened with extinction, but may become so unless trade in specimens of such species is subject to strict regulation in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. This downlisting to Appendix II eased trade restrictions and allows for regulated commercial trade in this species originating from Argentina, unless otherwise prohibited by domestic law. Currently, there are about 590 foreign species, compared to about 1,382 species native to the United States that are listed under the ESA. While the Service has no regulatory jurisdiction in foreign countries, the ESA requires the agency to protect species as endangered if they are in danger of extinction, and as threatened if they are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future, regardless of which country the species lives in.