Perspective

Trafficking of Galápagos iguanas as an example of a global problem: CITES permits, laundering and the role of transit countries in Europe and Africa

International cooperation is widely considered necessary to prevent the over-exploitation of threatened species in trade. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the principal intergovernmental agreement for member states to address both legal and illegal trade in animals and plants. However, some CITES Parties in both the Global North and South issue export permits for illegally acquired animals or plants, which encourages trafficking, undermines the effectiveness and integrity of the Convention’ provisions, and puts endangered species at greater risk from international trade. Herein we review the illegal trade of live iguanas, endemic to Ecuador's Galápagos Islands, through the issuance of CITES permits by non-range states without consulting the range state to determine specimens' legal provenance. We underscore the importance for CITES member states to be diligent, strictly enforce the provisions of the Convention, refrain from issuing export permits for illegally traded animals or their offspring, particularly endangered species with high commercial values. Specifically, we highlight the roles of the national CITES authorities in Mali, Switzerland, and Uganda and demonstrate that the issuance of CITES export permits for trafficked animals and their offspring is a persistent problem that creates a dangerous loophole, enabling illegal activities.