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IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group

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Indian leopard P Meier 01

Convention on Migratory Species

P. Meier

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)

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The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS or Bonn Convention) entered into force in 1983. It focuses on the conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale.

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Some species migrate across national boundaries, often crossing several countries. Therefore, the conservation and effective management of such migratory species requires the concerted action of all States where they pass or stay.  

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The CMS aims to:

  • conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range;

  • ensure the biological diversity of migratory species for future generations;

  • restore migratory species so that they have a favourable conservation status;

  • maintain long-term viable populations of migratory species;

  • conserve the range and habitats of migratory species.

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The CMS is an intergovernmental treaty that currently has 133 Parties. It acts as a framework convention and agreements range from legally binding treaties to less formal instruments (e.g. Memoranda of Understanding). The CMS is the only global convention specialising on migratory species conservation and co-operates with other international organisations, NGOs and partners. Decisions are taken by a two-thirds majority. Parties of CMS acknowledge the importance of migratory species being conserved and to avoid any migratory species becoming endangered. Range states of migratory species are encouraged to follow global or regional agreements for conservation and management of individual species or groups.

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How it works

The institutional framework consists of the different bodies listed below:

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  • The CoP is the decision-making body of the CMS Convention. The CoP meets every three years. It is responsible for:

    • reviewing the convention's implementation;

    • adopting budgets;

    • approving resolutions;

    • making recommendations and

    • amending species lists of Appendix I and II.

  • The Standing Committee consists of representatives of the Parties and meets at least annually. Its responsibilities are to:

    • provide policy and administrative guidance between meetings of the CoP;

    • guide on operational and financial issues.

  • The Scientific Council consists of experts appointed by individual member States and by the CoP. It meets twice a year and makes recommendations to the CoP on issues such as the research, conservation and management of migratory species. Its tasks are to:

    • advise on technical and scientific matters;

    • identify research and conservation priorities.

  • The Secretariat is resourced by the United Nation Environment Project (UNEP). It is based in Bonn (Germany) and provides administrative support. It cooperates with governments and partner organisations and is responsible for:

    • developing and promoting agreements;

    • disseminating information to Parties and the public;

    • supporting and supervising research and conservation projects;

    • organising meetings.

Cats in the CMS Appendices

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Migratory species under the Convention are listed in Appendices I and II to the Convention Text. Parties shall endeavour or provide immediate protection for migratory species included in Appendix I. Species can be removed from Appendix I if they are no longer endangered and not likely to become endangered again.

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  • Appendix I: This appendix includes migratory species which are threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant proportion of their range. These species should be strictly protected and their habitats conserved or restored. Obstacles hindering the migration and factors that might endanger them should be mitigated;

  • Appendix II: Contains all migratory species with unfavourable conservation status and which would benefit significantly from international cooperation organised by tailored agreements.

 

The range states themselves decide on a tailored and structured action plan and parties shall endeavour to follow agreements covering the conservation and management of migratory species included in Appendix II.

CMS Appendix.png

 

Special Species Initiatives

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CMS Special Species Initiative unite Parties across the Range of (a group of) species requiring conservation efforts. A Special Species Initiative offers a cooperation framework, and is established through a Resolution by the COP. They require the development of a Programme of Work that outlines the key conservation actions for the Initiative. Initiatives are serviced by the CMS Secretariat.

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African Carnivore Initiative ACI

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  • The aim of the ACI is to act as a support platform to facilitate, promote and enhance more effective conservation of the four ACI species and their habitat across their range. It helps to synthesize conservation plans and actions undertaken by various organisations and to collectively address conservation efforts. In doing so, the ACI also avoids duplication of activities and associated costs, helping to generate resources, and pool funds and expertise. The ACI promotes information exchange between Range State Parties and, with implementing partners, allocates partners with funding and other resources. The work of the ACI is based on the effective compilation, generation and translation of scientific evidence into policies. The ACI is implemented through its Programme of Work (PoW), which has been developed from the resolutions and decisions adopted by the Conferences of the Parties of CMS and CITES, and relevant species-specific conservation strategies and guidelines.

 

Central Asian Mammals Initiative CAMI

  • The Central Asian Mammals Initiative CAMI and its associated Programme of Work is an initiative of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS). The aim of this initiative is to enhance the engagement of CMS in Central Asia to conserve migratory mammals, their habitats and the essential role they play to maintain intact ecosystems. CAMI helps to coordinate conservation activities in Central Asia, to facilitate and increase collaboration between stakeholders, to address major threats to migratory species, and to strengthen the implementation of CMS and its instruments targeting large mammals. Priority tasks of CMS CAMI include the removal of barriers to migration, the preservation and restoration of transboundary ecological networks, and the maintenance of animal migrations in the Central Asian region.
    The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), leopard (Panthera pardus) and the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) are the cat species which are targeted by CAMI and for which activities in the Programme of Work 2021–2026 are included.

The Cat Specialist Group collaborates with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) in various essential ways:

  • Scientific Contributions: Upon request, the group provides vital scientific information that forms the foundation of CMS operations. This includes developing reports and specialist documents, such as:

    • The Leopard Conservation Roadmap and Lion Conservation Guidelines in the frame of the African Carnivores Initiative (jointly managed by CMS and CITES). These frameworks are instrumental in crafting conservation strategies for these species across Africa.

    • The Range-Wide Strategy to Conserve the Persian Leopard in the frame of the Central Asian Mammals Initiative CAMI. The Cat SG Co-chairs and team led a group of experts that prepared the draft strategy for the conservation of the Persian leopard. The strategy was subsequently discussed by government representatives and experts and endorsed during the first Persian Leopard Range States meeting in Tbilisi 20–22 September 2022. This strategy directs conservation efforts by addressing migration barriers and preserving critical habitats, with its implementation monitored under CAMI's 2021–2026 Programme of Work.

  • Expert Group Convening: The Cat Specialist Group organises workshops and events at international meetings, aiming to build capacity within expert groups and empower them to effectively implement conservation strategies.

  • Advisory Role: Members attend CMS-related meetings, offering advice and expertise as needed, including participation in steering committee meetings and Conferences of the Parties (CoP) meetings.

  • Strategic Alignment: The group ensures that conservation guidelines, monitoring, and strategy programs for species align with the overarching aims and objectives of the CMS. This alignment is crucial for maximising the effectiveness of conservation efforts and enhancing the impact of the initiatives.

Through these activities, the Cat Specialist Group plays a critical role in advancing the goals of the CMS and promoting the conservation of species globally.

M. Pittet

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