Hundreds of experts will gather in Geneva next week to discuss a "disturbing upswing" in the illegal wildlife trade, driven increasingly by ostentatious displays of wealth by the super-rich. "We're seeing a shift from health to wealth… a significant shift away from (demand for) traditional uses associated with health to uses associated with wealth," said John Scanlon, head of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES is gathering some 400 experts and country representatives for a July 7-11 meeting. "Among the high priority issues for discussion are the large scale killings of elephants for their ivory and rhinos for their horns, as well as a concerning increase in the illegal trade in Asian big cats," said the wildlife regulator.
Anti-poaching experts will gather amid upswing in illegal trade
