This video shows the mounting frustrations surrounding CITES activities. The convention has a good number of mechanisms in place that seek to ensure that the international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of species.

However, in practice there are several CITES Parties that appear to be misusing or abusing these mechanisms in an attempt to curtail sustainable use, thereby minimising any benefits for wildlife, habitats, and local livelihoods, all of which act as incentives for conservation.

The well-produced short film summarises the problems that have emerged as a result of this issue in the Makuya Community in Southern Africa’s Limpopo province.