Nations eye help for endangered species

Conference aims to ensure trade doesn't accelerate extinctions

This photo provided by the United States Geological Survey shows a female Pacific walrus resting in Point Lay, Alaska. The World Wildlife Conference on trade in fauna and flora known as CITES which takes place every three years, aims to make sure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants doesn’t jeopardize their survival. - photo by Associated Press

species — This photo provided by the United States Geological Survey shows a female Pacific walrus resting in Point Lay, Alaska. The World Wildlife Conference on trade in fauna and flora known as CITES which takes place every three years, aims to make sure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants doesn’t jeopardize their survival. - photo by Associated Press

GENEVA — From guitars to traditional medicines and from tusk to tail, mankind's exploitation of the planet's fauna and flora is putting some of them at risk of extinction. Representatives of some 180 nations are meeting in Geneva to agree on protections for vulnerable species, taking up issues including the trade in ivory and the demand for shark fin soup.

Associated Press

Associated Press