Enviro News Asia, Campo Grande — Governments participating in the CMS COP15 agreed to expand conservation measures for migratory wildlife, granting new or upgraded protection status to 40 species across terrestrial, avian, and aquatic ecosystems.
The meeting, held under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, responded to growing scientific evidence showing that many migratory species are facing accelerating population declines and rising extinction risks.
Among the species receiving enhanced protection are the cheetah, striped hyena, snowy owl, giant otter, and great hammerhead shark. These species were added to or upgraded within CMS Appendices I and II, which cover species threatened with extinction or requiring coordinated international conservation action.
Parties also endorsed a series of multi-species conservation plans in critical regions, including the Amazon, alongside 15 new concerted actions targeting species such as chimpanzees, sperm whales, and various shark and bird species.
Scientific findings presented during the conference highlighted worsening trends across biodiversity indicators, driven by habitat loss, overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and infrastructure barriers that disrupt migratory routes.
Leaders emphasized that migratory species, which cross national borders, require stronger international cooperation, improved ecological connectivity, and integration of Indigenous and local knowledge into conservation strategies.
The conference further addressed emerging threats such as deep-sea mining, plastic pollution, underwater noise, illegal wildlife trade, and fisheries bycatch, all of which increasingly impact migratory species.
With the conclusion of the meeting, Brazil assumes the presidency of the CMS process for the next three years, tasked with advancing global conservation efforts and ensuring implementation of the newly agreed measures.
The next conference (COP16) is scheduled to take place in Bonn, marking the 50th anniversary of the convention. (*)
