Campo Grande, Brazil - Illegal and unsustainable taking of wildlife—driven largely by domestic use for food, local markets, cultural practices, and weak governance—has become one of the most urgent and escalating threats to migratory species worldwide. While global attention has largely focused on high-value illegal international trade, which can include trade in migratory species, for most of these species, taking linked to domestic motivations is a much greater threat.
To address this mounting pressure, the Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) officially launches the Global Initiative on the Taking of Migratory Species (GTI) during a special event here at its 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15).
“The launch of the Global Initiative on the Taking of Migratory Species (GTI) marks a turning point in our collective efforts to protect migratory species. By tackling the root causes of illegal and unsustainable taking, we are safeguarding not only wildlife but also the livelihoods and cultures that depend on them,” said Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of CMS.
Illegal and/or Unsustainable Taking: What It Is
Illegal and/or unsustainable taking refers to the removal of wild animals from nature in ways that are prohibited under the Convention and/or exceed the level of taking that can be sustained by species populations. Taking for domestic motivations can include hunting, fishing, trapping, or capturing migratory species for food, domestic sale, sport, medicine, rituals, or retaliation in human–wildlife conflict.
This form of taking is a major direct driver of biodiversity loss globally. Weak enforcement, limited data on levels of take, and growing demand further intensify pressures on migratory species.
The 2024 State of the World’s Migratory Species report identified that illegal and/or unsustainable taking threatens the survival of 70 per cent of all the 1,200 species listed under the Convention.
A New Global Initiative to Address a Global Challenge
The GTI is a collaborative global effort under CMS that will bring together governments, international organizations, scientists, conservation organizations, and indigenous peoples and local communities to address the drivers of illegal and unsustainable taking. It will focus on four key areas of work: 1) improve data and monitoring, 2) strengthen legal and policy frameworks, 3) enhance community engagement, and 4) raise awareness.
Developed in response to mandates adopted by CMS COP14, the GTI complements existing CMS, CITES, and other global frameworks, filling a critical gap in international wildlife conservation, by focusing specifically on domestic offtake and drivers.
The initiative is being launched together with partner organizations whose work is directly relevant to addressing these challenges: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), BirdLife International, the Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime, International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Fauna and Flora, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), International Council of Environmental Law, the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and TRAFFIC.
The Governments of Uzbekistan, the United Kingdom, and France are among the CMS Parties participating in this new initiative and provided financial support.
What the GTI is Expected to Deliver
The Global Initiative on the Taking of Migratory Species is expected to provide concrete and coordinated support to CMS Parties by strengthening national laws and enforcement systems, improving data collection and monitoring of taking, and identifying gaps where action is most urgently needed. It will engage indigenous peoples and local communities to elevate community‑led solutions, promote sustainable practices, and identify and address the drivers behind domestic use. In addition, the GTI will support public awareness efforts, help reduce demand for illegal or unsustainably sourced wildlife, and promote evidence‑based policies across Range States.
This initiative will fill a longstanding gap in global conservation efforts, and is expected to equip countries with the tools, partnerships and knowledge required to safeguard migratory species from this growing threat.
Comments
“For Uzbekistan, this initiative is especially timely. Our region is home to iconic migratory species, such as the saiga antelope, goitered gazelle, the snow leopard and the Asiatic wild ass, whose survival depends on coordinated action across borders. Many of these species face pressures from illegal hunting, habitat loss, and weak enforcement. We have seen firsthand that domestic drivers are closely tied with international demand.”
- Gavhar Mahmudova , National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan
“The United Kingdom is proud to support the Global Taking Initiative. Migratory species are under immense pressure, and without urgent action we risk losing some of the world’s most remarkable wildlife. The GTI offers real hope — helping countries strengthen protections, work with communities, and address the drivers of unsustainable taking before it’s too late. The UK is committed to safeguarding the routes and habitats migratory species depend on, and we are delighted to support this important new effort.”
- Rhiannon Hudson-Jones , Team Leader- Migratory Species, and Wetlands (CMS, Ramsar), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK
“The Convention on Migratory Species, through the launch of the Global Initiative on Taking of Migratory Species (GTI), marks a major step forward toward the sustainable and coordinated management of migratory species; the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) welcomes and fully supports this initiative, in line with its commitment to scientific knowledge, the regulation of taking, and the conservation of biodiversity.”
- Florent Merle , Deputy Director for European and International Relations, French Biodiversity Agency, France
“Overexploitation has long been a leading threat to migratory species, and our new BirdLife International review on take for consumption for COP15 shows just how pervasive and unsustainable this pressure has become across the African–Eurasian region, for example. More than two-thirds of CMS-listed bird species are affected, and most are already in decline. The new Global Initiative on Taking is a crucial chance to address this crisis at its root—especially domestic take—and we strongly support its launch as a major step toward safeguarding migratory species globally.”
- Prof. Dr. Aline Kuehl-Stenzel , Senior Policy Manager, Marine, BirdLife International
“Kudos to the Convention on Migratory Species and its Executive Secretary for stepping up with this bold and much-needed initiative. Global attention has long focussed on cross-border trade - whether legal or illegal - and this new initiative 'closes the circle' on ensuring the legal, safe and sustainable taking and use of wild fauna.”
- John E Scanlon AO, Executive President, International Council of Environmental Law; Chair, Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime; and CEO, Elephant Protection Initiative
“This new initiative could not be more timely - as the latest update on the state of migratory species released at COP15 underlines, reducing overexploitation of animals on land, in the air and at sea is critical to ensuring a future for these species.”
- Matthew Collis , Senior Director of Policy at IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare)
“This new initiative presents a significant opportunity to help transform the systems and behaviors that enable and sustain illegal and unsustainable take, one of the most significant and escalating threats to migratory species globally. It represents a very timely step forward and TRAFFIC looks forward to continuing to support CMS Parties and partners to achieve sustainable long term conservation impact.”
- Melanie Heath , Senior Director – Global Programme Office, TRAFFIC
“WCS strongly supports this initiative. In our field experience across the globe, illegal and unsustainable take of wildlife is a major, yet often under-addressed threat to many species, including migratory animals in particular, and to the ecological integrity of their ecosystems. With this new global initiative, WCS looks forward to increased attention to and collaboration on this pervasive threat to migratory species.”
- Dr. Susan Lieberman , Vice President, International Policy, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
“The level of illegal and unsustainable take, including that of Appendix I species, exceeds our worst fears. Moreover, most of it is domestic, so it cannot be addressed through CITES alone.”
- Colman O'Criodain , Policy Manager, Wildlife, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
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A recording of the special launch event at CMS COP15 introducing the GTI’s objectives, priority areas of work, and partnership approach is available on YouTube
Speakers include:
Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary, CMS
Gavhar Mahmudova, National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Mariano Castro Jimenez, UNDP Consultant on behalf of the CBD Secretariat
Susan Lieberman, Vice President, International Policy, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Melanie Heath, Senior Director, Global Programmes, TRAFFIC
Aline Kuehl‑Stenzel, Senior Policy Manager, Marine, BirdLife International
At a glance: CMS an COP15
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a legally binding international treaty under the United Nations. CMS is one of the most important global frameworks for wildlife conservation and plays a vital role in addressing the global biodiversity crisis.
By fostering international collaboration, supporting research, and developing conservation agreements and actions among the Range States in which these species are found, CMS ensures the long-term survival of migratory species of wild animals and their habitats, and the vital benefits they provide.
132 countries plus the European Union are Parties to CMS. In addition, several non-Party countries have signed one or more binding CMS Agreements to protect migratory species.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of CMS, which meets every three years to review progress, add new species under the Treaty, and strengthen actions to address conservation needs as well as continuing or emerging threats. Strong science underpins the COP’s agenda, ensuring that policy discussions reflect the best available evidence on threats, population trends and effective response measures.
CMS Appendices I and II
Appendix I comprises migratory species in danger of extinction in the wild throughout all or a significant portion of their range. Parties that are Range States to a migratory species listed on Appendix I endeavour to strictly protect them by prohibiting the taking of such species (including the deliberate killing, capture or disturbance), with a very restricted scope for exceptions; conserving and, where appropriate, restoring their habitats; preventing, removing or mitigating obstacles to their migration; and controlling other factors that might endanger them.
Appendix II migratory species require international agreement for their conservation and management. It also includes species whose conservation status would significantly benefit from the international cooperation that could be achieved by an international agreement. This can include setting common objectives and management measures for shared populations, preparing and implementing joint action plans, coordinating monitoring and research, sharing data and best practices, and working together to conserve and restore key habitats along the species’ migration routes. The aim is to ensure that protection and management efforts are aligned across borders so that conservation gains in one country are not lost in another.
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