WILD LIFE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 11, 23 December 1933, Page 10

WILD LIFE

PROTECTIVE MEASURES GOVERNMENTS AGREE. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION. A new convention for the protection of wild life and plants was signed by the representatives of the Governments of nine countries at the final sitting of the International Conference for the Protection of the Fauna and Flora of Africa. The delegates who signed represented the Union of South Africa, Belgium, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland, Egypt, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The observers of the Governments of India, the United States, and the Netherlands, who have been attending the conference, were present at the signature of the document.

The only delegates not to sign the Convention were the Abyssinians, who have been required to refer it to their Government. In the draft, put forward by the British Government it. was contemplated that the convention should not embody any reservations, but difficulties raised by certain Governments led to the signing of the convention with an article under which ‘ :‘lt is understood that upon signature, ratification, or accession any contracting Government may make such express reservations as may be considered essential.” It was found necessary to accept this precautionary provision in order to secure general signature, but ns the Governments were fairly well united it is not thought that it will be acted upon in such a way as to render the convention ineffective. Another conference is expected to take place within four years. METHODS OF PRESERVATION. The convention’s object Is to plan a special regime for the preservation of

fauna and flora which in certain parts if the world, and in particular in Africa, are in danger under present conditions of extinction or permanent injury. The following are the principal points of agreement:— The contracting Governments will explore forthwith the possibility of establishing in their territories national parks and strict natural reserves, and the establishment of intermediate zones round the borders of these parks and reserves. Certain species of animals placed in Class A shall bo protected as completely as possible, and the hunting, killing, or capturing of them shall take place only by special permission of the highest authority in tho territory. These animals include the gorilla, giant sable antelope, nyala, okapi, barbary stag, pigmy hippopotamus, mountain zebra, wild ass, white rhinoceros, northern hartebecst, Abyssinian ilex, elephant, tho tusks of which do not exceed five kilograms in weight, whale-headed stork, bald-headed this, and whitebreasted guinea-fowl. Animals belonging to the species placed in Class B, whilst not requiring such rigorous protection as those mentioned in Class A, shall not be hunted, killed, or captured, oven by natives, except under special license granted by tho competent authorities. Animals in Class B include the Chimpanzee, colobus monkey, giant eland, giraffe, while-tailed gnu, elephant of which the tusks exceed five kilograms in weight, black rhinoceros, /round hornbill, wild ostrich, secretary bird, little egret, tho great white egret, yellow-billed egret, and buffbacked heron.

CARRIAGE OF TROPHIES.

The import and export of trophies except at places where there is a Customs station shall be prohibited. The ase of motor-vehicles or aircraft (including aircraft lighter than air) shall bo prohibited both for the purpose of hunting, killing, or capturing animals, and in such manner as to drive, stampede, or disturb them for any purpose whatsoever, including that of filming Sr photographing.

The contracting Governments shall prohibit in their territories the surrounding of animals by fires for hunt-

ing purposes. Wherever possible the undermentioned methods of capturing or destroying animals shall also be generally prohibited:— (a) The use of poison or explosives for killing fish. (b) The use of dazzling lights, flares, poison, or poisoned weapons for hunting animals. (c) The use of nets, pits, or enclosures, gins, traps, or snares, or set /tins and missiles containing explosives. The convention is accompanied by a protocol which declares that the signatories have agreed on the following provisions:— 1. In order to facilitate co-opera-tion, and to examine the working of the convention as well as the question of any improvements which might be made to it, periodical international conferences shall be held at appropriate intervals at which the Governments parties to the convention or on whose behalf the present protocol has been signed shall be represented. (2) The first conference shall take place within four years, and the arrangements shall bo made by the British Government, which shall invite the Governments already referred to together with any other Government whose presence may be considered desirable. 3. It is agreed that the matters to he discussed at the conference shall include: (a) The question of the exchange between Governments of lists of persons known to have been guilty of persistent infringements of game regulations. (b) The question of the exchange of information relating to infectious or contagious diseases of importance for the preservation of fauna or flora, or capable of affecting men as well as animals. 4. Subsequent conferences shall be held at such dates and in accordance with such arrangements as may be made at the first conference.