Global trade body recommends suspension of wildlife imports until stronger due diligence and verification mechanisms are in place

A verification mission of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has urged India to halt the import of critically endangered species until comprehensive checks are instituted to ensure compliance with global and domestic regulations.

The report, released following an inspection in September, cautioned that animals sourced from the wild are being declared as captive bred, posing risks of illegal trade under the guise of legitimate imports. The mission was undertaken after the CITES Standing Committee, at its meeting in Geneva earlier this year, sought to examine the legality of live wildlife imports to the Greens Zoological Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) and the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT) in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

While acknowledging that both facilities operate at high standards and hold valid permits, the CITES Secretariat noted inconsistencies in documentation and verification processes. It recommended that India strengthen its due diligence and review imports flagged in the report, particularly those involving source or transit countries such as Congo, Guyana, Germany, Iraq, Mexico, Syria and the UAE.

The 14-page report identified several instances where animals were imported under questionable source and purpose codes. It cited the import of chimpanzees, gorillas, and cheetahs from countries not known for captive breeding programmes, as well as discrepancies in the classification of animals traded for zoo purposes but registered under commercial codes.

According to the Secretariat, India’s Wildlife Protection Act restricts acquisition or transfer of wild or captive animals to recognised zoos, making the accuracy of CITES source codes crucial to prevent illegal harvests. The report recommended a comprehensive review of India’s import procedures to ensure traceability and verification of captive breeding claims.

The findings will be presented at the upcoming CITES Standing Committee meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 23 November, where member states are expected to review India’s compliance and follow-up actions.