"UN General Assembly Resolves to Combat Wildlife Trafficking"

"NEW YORK -- Recognizing that wild animals and plants are an “irreplaceable part of the natural systems of the Earth,' the UN General Assembly today urged its Member States to prevent, combat and eradicate the illegal trade in wildlife, 'on both the supply and demand sides.'

In its first resolution against wildlife trafficking, the 193-Member Assembly expressed serious concern over the steady rise in the level of rhino poaching and the 'alarmingly high' levels of killings of elephants in Africa, which threaten those species with local extinction and, in some cases, with global extinction.

'Illegal wildlife trafficking not only threatens species and ecosystems; it affects the livelihoods of local communities and diminishes touristic attractions. It compromises efforts towards poverty eradication and the achievement of sustainable development,' said Sam Kahamba Kutesa of Uganda, president of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in a statement."

Environment News Service had the story July 31, 2015.