The UN Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) has launched the Central Asian Mammals Migration and Linear Infrastructure Atlas to help ensure the survival of migratory wildlife in this important region. Featured in the Atlas are the Asiatic Cheetah, the Snow Leopard, as well as antelopes, deer, gazelles, wild horses and yaks which undertake long-distance journeys across the steppes, deserts and mountains of Central Asia to reach their feeding and breeding grounds.

Today, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Federal Ministry and CMS co-hosted a reception in Berlin, attended by diplomatic representatives from dozens of countries. Minister Svenja Schulze stressed the special importance of species protection across the world. She called for even more countries to join the Convention. The Convention is the only global treaty dealing with the conservation of migratory animals and their habitats around the world, including birds, whales, dolphins, sharks, elephants, antelopes and gorillas.

Two Conventions in the field of wildlife and nature conservation agreed on the elements of a joint strategy to eradicate poaching of birds in the Mediterranean region. An estimated 20 million birds fall victim to illegal killing, taking and trade in Europe and the Mediterranean every year. It is the main cause of the rapid decline of several species in this region.

After five days’ intensive discussions, the 3rd session of the Meeting of the Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks came to a successful conclusion today.

Among the main decisions reached was agreement to include a further eight species on the instrument’s Annex meaning that they should benefit for greater international cooperation to enhance their conservation.