Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced the addition of 98 species, including the okapi and great-billed seed-eater, to the international endangered species list as a response to their dwindling populations.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment in Korea has officially amended the list of international endangered species, announcing the inclusion of 98 species, such as the okapi and the great-billed seed-eater. This decision reflects actions taken during the 20th Conference of the Parties to CITES, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in late 2022. Additionally, 23 species, including the whale shark and marine iguana, have had their trading regulations heightened due to significant population declines, while only three species experienced a downgrade in their status or were removed from the list.
The new details disclose that six species have been moved to CITES' Appendix I, which prohibits commercial trade, thereby banning international trade for the okapi, great-billed seed-eater, and multiple other species as of today. A total of 90 animal and 8 plant species were added, including 82 species to Appendix II that require exporting country permits for trade, driven by growing international demand for pets, food, and medicinal uses.
Moreover, the report indicates changes in the listing of 25 species based on population reviews, while eight species were removed entirely from the list. The extent of this international attention highlights the urgent need for conservation measures, signalling an increasing global acknowledgment of the biodiversity crisis and the importance of regulatory frameworks to protect endangered species.
