Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; is an international agreement between governments, aiming to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. It accords varying degrees of protection to more than 36,000 species of animals and plants by applying different provisions to species.
CITES requires the parties to the convention not to trade in listed species other than in accordance with the Convention, to take appropriate measures to enforce the Convention, to prohibit and penalize trade in violation of the Convention and to confiscate illegally traded specimens. The illegal trade in wildlife undermines conservation efforts and has negative economic, social and environmental impacts.