IUCN Motion On Illegal Trade Adopted

In October 2020 IUCN members made an electronic vote on motions submitted for the World Conservation Congress in France, which was postponed from January 2021 due to COVID-19.

One of the motions adopted was Motion no.72  on the  illegal trade of  lion bones and derivates:

1. DECLARES the importance of deterring the illegal killing of lions and the illegal trade in lion body parts and derivatives.   
2. REQUESTS the Director General to support an initiative for further robust, evidence-based research, that applies rigorous and replicable methodology, into the extent and drivers of the trade in African lion parts and derivatives in Africa and East/South-East Asia, and its impact on wild lion populations in Africa and on those of other big cats globally, information that is required to better inform decision-making and intervention measures; and
3. ENCOURAGES Members to combat illegal and unsustainable exploitation of wild lion populations by improving law enforcement, improving and enforcing wildlife crime legislation (including wildlife crime-related legislation), enhancing benefits to rural communities through maintaining and strengthening lion values and incentives for conservation, tackling governance and corruption issues, and engaging in efforts to reduce the consumer demand for lion bones and any other parts and derivatives from illegally killed lions.

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