The ten-day meeting of the conference of the parties to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species has seen Africa split over the treatment of their natural heritage.

The gathering of conservation policy-makers, experts and activists in Sandton decided against giving maxim CITES protection to all African elephants.

More than half the African members fear this will be a charter for organized crime using poachers to get the ivory from these animals who’s number has dwindled by a third this past seven years.

Southern African countries, including South Africa, believe they know best how to protect their wildlife.

Many have spoken out against what they see as interference by Western-financed conservation groups

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The Convention on International Trade in Endangered species, or CITES,  is meeting for the first time in South Africa which houses the greatest rhino population on the planet and the second highest number of elephants.

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CITES will look at the $20 billion illegal wildlife trade which is the fourth largest illicit business in the world.

It has to decide on whether to toughen or relax trade restriction on 500 species of plants and animals.

Swaziland’s proposed an easing of the ban on the sale of rhino horn.

Zimbabwe and Namibia want to be allowed the sell their ivory stockpiles.

Opponents say this would give carte blanche to organised crime controlling this market and will drive rhino and elephant off the endangered list into extinction.

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