CITES is an important organization that protects endangered species. It was signed in
Washinton, D.C. on March 3rd, 1973, and amended in Bonn, Germany on June 22nd, 1979.
CITES establishes world-wide controls on the international trade on threatened species of animals
and plants. Trading now is only allowed through government issued permits or certificates. In
the cases of trading of species threatened with extinction, CITES prohibits all commercial trade in
wild specimens. More than 125 countries are now members of CITES. Each country is
responsible for following the regulations of CITES. For more information on CITES, go to the
CITES home page.