BIODIVERSITY, WILDERNESS AND THE PROTECTION OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT POPULATION IN INTERNATIONAL LAW

Abstract

The protection of biodiversity and of particular animal species and their habitats has become increasingly relevant at an international level. For this reason, several Conventions have been created over the years, each dealing with different issues to enhance animals, habitat and biodiversity protection. Unfortunately, although these instruments highlight the increasing awareness of the importance to enhance conservation and the efforts that the international community is taking to improve the protection of animals, habitats, and biodiversity, in many cases these tools do not afford adequate protection. The aim of my thesis is to study in depth animal and biodiversity protection in international law, taking into consideration four major biodiversity-related Conventions to foster conservation. In particular, I will deal with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), and the Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (UNESCO Convention), discussing the limitations of this branch of international law to identify possible solutions. To do so, I will carry out an analysis of the current status of the African Elephant population as a case study in four African range states that have signed the above mentioned Conventions, which are Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The management and protection of elephants is very complex because it involves various issues like poaching, habitat loss, human population growth which worsen human-elephant conflict, poverty, corruption, national development needs and lack of funding, all elements that make conservation very difficult, with subsequent countries difficulties in the Conventions application.