CITES CoP19 parties have rejected a proposal to allow trade in rhinoceros horn. Similarly, a proposal to allow trade in rhinoceros hunting trophies has been rejected. Parties have allowed trade in live rhinoceros for in-situ conservation in their natural ranges only since such trade allows reintroduction of rhinoceros in countries where they are extinct. We welcome the decisions by the parties. The proposals support our mission of protecting lives of wild animals.

The Convection on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) CITES CoP19 meeting of the conference of parties meeting at Panama City in Panama has rejected a proposal by Zimbawe, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia to reopen trade in elephant ivory. We welcome the decision at a time like this when illegal trade in elephant ivory is increasing in Africa. Allowing to reopen trade in ivory would be to increase illegal wildlife trade and may increase slaughters of elephants.

Our own Ms. Gladys Kamasanyu was one of the speakers at the 30th Annual Animal Conference. The topic for her panel was ‘Animals caught in human conflict.’ She talked about human-wildlife conflict and interventions to address it, drawing examples from Uganda.

Our founder Ms. Gladys Kamasanyu is at Harvard University attending a conference on Global Animal Law Handbook Country Reports. She wrote and presented a country report on Uganda. The report will be published in the Global Animal Law Handbook by Oxford University Press in the Oxford Handbook Series. What an opportunity to speak on behalf of animals at a global level!