What is the main aim of the CITES treaty?

• A. Treaty to ban all trade of wildlife
• B. Ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species
• C. Regulate domestic hunting licenses
• D. Promote international trade in wild animals and plants

Answer: (B)

CITES is about protecting wild species from being harmed by international trade. It doesn’t ban all trading of wildlife. Instead, it regulates and monitors cross-border trade so that any movement of specimens, guided by permits and species listings, does not threaten their survival. This balance lets some trade continue under strict controls while aiming to prevent over-exploitation. Domestic hunting licenses are handled by individual countries and aren’t the treaty’s focus, and CITES isn’t about promoting trade at all—it’s about conservation through regulation.